Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (Luke 6:21 NASB)
In the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew, Jesus is quoted as saying, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." In times of mourning, comfort is most needed. It eases the burden a bit, and makes the going easier. When we mourn, we long for and appreciate comfort. In fact, one of the verses I have turned to in times of grief and mourning is "He will never leave you nor forsake you". (Deut 31:6). It has always reminds me that I am not alone and provides reassurance and comfort in hard times.
The idea of replacing mourning with laughter seems just a little odd and vaguely inappropriate, doesn't it? No one expects to laugh in the midst of mourning, but this verse promises future laughter. It offers hope and the promise of better, joy-filled times. It promises more than comfort. It promises healing and restoration.
How about that? Most, if not all, of us have experienced times of mourning and grief. If you haven't yet, you will, for grief is a common part of the human experience. What Jesus has promised us, though, should give great hope. He will not leave us in our pit of grief and pain. There is no need to despair. He will comfort us in our loss and lead us through our valley to the other side, where healing, joy, and laughter await.
Pray today that our Lord will lead you and your loved ones through and past your grief, bring healing to those areas of deepest hurt, and replace your tears with laughter.
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Here's the link to last night's post:
There was something behind the smile that I failed to see. http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/03/bahamian-blogging-7-smiling-student.html
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