Daily Devotional
Are you mourning your sin?
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
March 3, 2019
Ponder This
Jesus purposefully gave the Beatitudes in this order because this is the way we grow in sanctification. First, we see our bankrupt condition (Matthew 5:3). Then it breaks our heart (Matthew 5:4).
To “mourn” doesn’t mean going around with a melancholy attitude. It means painful grief, like we would feel over the death of a loved one. It speaks of the strongest kind of lamentation, not just a sentimental tear. What we need today are men and women who are broken over their sin.
Warren Wiersbe said, “If you want to know a person's character, watch and find out what makes him laugh and what makes him weep.” We need people with hearts that are broken over their sin.
How will our hearts be broken? Perhaps if we could see our destiny in hell, it might break our hearts. If we could see Jesus’ agony upon the cross, it might break our hearts. If we could see what our sin is doing to others and to our world, it might break our hearts.
Proverbs 14:9 says, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.” Jesus speaks of this favor when He says if we mourn over our sin, we will be comforted. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter who will strengthen us when we are broken over our sin.
Practice This
Do you know where we ought to be? On our face before God in bitter tears over the barrenness of our lives, the coldness of our hearts, and the wickedness of our attitudes. And what will be the outcome? We will be comforted.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
