Source: Wikipedia
This is the second blog in my series on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-7. This week we move on to verse 4:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
There are many things in this world that can weigh down our hearts. We will focus on the five main depressors that bring us down, and how we can receive comfort in the Lord.
Depressor: The Devil
Our adversary, the devil, pursues to steal, kill and destroy everything God has given us. The Bible says, “…But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short. ... Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:12, 17).
Comforter: God’s Word
When I am being attacked by the devil, I find great comfort in God’s Word. When Jesus was tried and tempted by the devil, He sent the devil fleeing by tearing down his lies with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).
The lies the devil throws at us are like weights. He can’t force us to hold on to them. We have a choice to receive them. The more lies we believe the heavier they weigh us down. The Word of God exposes the devil's lies. Once exposed, we can let go of those weights and refuse to take hold of them again.
Depressor: Sin
Sometimes we think the devil is attacking us when it’s our wrong choices that are creating problems in our lives. We want to blame the devil for all our problems, but we don’t want to take responsibility for our actions. We can’t disregard God’s commands and expect to live in victory. God gives us His commands for our benefit. He knows sin hurts us. If we refuse to follow Him, we will reap the consequences from sin.
Comforter: The Holy Spirit
Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26, KJV).
I find great comfort knowing God’s Holy Spirit is living in me. It is comforting knowing God is teaching us and guiding us through life. When we fall into sin, He is always there to grasp our hands in support and lift us out of it.
Depressor: Condemnation
The Holy Spirit convicts us when we sin. The devil condemns us when we sin. We have to be careful not to confuse the Holy Spirit’s conviction with the devil’s condemnation. Conviction makes us aware of our sins so we can confess and turn away from them. Condemnation keeps us feeling guilty in our sins.
Comforter: Jesus Christ
Romans 8:1-3 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
Once we accept Christ we become a new creation. We are set free from the
power of sin. The old has gone and the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17). Whenever
we fall, we can remind ourselves that is our old self working. Those weaknesses
are not part of who we are now. We resist condemnation by remembering who
we are in Christ. We have been forgiven for all our sins and have been justified before God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Depressor: Hardships
In our struggles against sin, and in times of hardships, we must not refuse the Lord’s discipline.
Comforter: God
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Hebrews 12:4-7
God takes our trials and the consequences from the mistakes we make and uses them to train and lead us into holiness. If we allow God to teach us, by not refusing His correction, we will reap a wonderful harvest in our lives.
…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:10-11
Depressor: Pain in the world
As I grow closer to the Lord, He opens my eyes to the needs around me. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed knowing so many people are suffering. But it’s not just the physical suffering that weighs my heart down; it’s more importantly the great spiritual suffering I see within the body of Christ. So many of us are not living the life Jesus died to give us. If we are not being the hands and feet of Jesus, how is the world going to see and hear the Truth?
Comforter: God's Grace
In Romans 11:2-6, Paul talks about Elijah’s appeal to God against Israel:
“Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me.”
Paul shares God’s answer to Elijah:
“I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Paul then explains:
“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
We can find comfort knowing our works will not bring about change in us, and the power we need to reach the world, God’s grace will.
... “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Heavenly Father,
We praise You that we can always find comfort in You. Help us to stand against the devil’s deception with the Word of God. Help us to turn away from sin by following Your Holy Spirit. Help us not to fall into condemnation when You convict us of sin. Help us to accept Your correction and allow You to train us and lead us into Your Holiness. Help us to humble ourselves before You so that Your power can rest on us, and we can lead the lost and hurting to Your unmerited grace.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
*The Beatitudes series will continue next Tuesday.
I am a wife of
sixteen years, mother of four children, and author of “You Can Have a Happy
Family: Steps to Enjoying Your Marriage and Children” and two devotionals: “The LOVE Walk: A 15-Week Devotional on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8” and “Armor of Light: A 7-Week Devotional on Ephesians 6:10-18.” God has done an amazing work in me and my family
since He rescued me thirteen years ago. Because of His unfailing love, I am passionate
about sharing His love with others. You can learn more about my testimony and
writings on my blog (SharingTruths.com) and my website (AmandaBeth.net).
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
- See more at: http://brostef.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/beautitudes-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit.html#sthash.XpWHl9Dh.dpuf
I am a wife of
sixteen years, mother of four children, and author of “You Can Have a Happy
Family: Steps to Enjoying Your Marriage and Children” and two devotionals: “The LOVE Walk: A 15-Week Devotional on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8” and “Armor of Light: A 7-Week Devotional on Ephesians 6:10-18.” God has done an amazing work in me and my family
since He rescued me thirteen years ago. Because of His unfailing love, I am passionate
about sharing His love with others. You can learn more about my testimony and
writings on my blog (SharingTruths.com) and my website (AmandaBeth.net).
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
- See more at: http://brostef.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/beautitudes-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit.html#sthash.XpWHl9Dh.dpuf
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