On Sunday we continued our series on happiness with “Happy are the Sad.”
Matthew 5:4 (NASB) says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Sad people aren’t typically also happy, so there must be more to this. In context, building on the idea of spiritual humility from verse 3, we’re seeing that there is a job that comes when we mourn over sin.
While we normally avoid things that make us sad, this is a sadness that we need to embrace. Sin isn’t something to mess around with, but in many ways we have become numb toward sin in our world and in our lives. The prophet Isaiah, issues a major wakeup call…
Isaiah
5:20-23 (NASB)
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!
22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine
And valiant men in mixing strong drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
The problem when it comes to happiness is sin. Sin and lasting happiness are totally incompatible, but when we repent and the burden of our sin is lifted, great joy can come via the comfort of the Lord.
Psalm 30:10-12 (NASB)
10 “Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my
helper.”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
So, Happy are the sad, because they experience a closeness to God. He lifts their burden and sets them free.
Join us this Sunday as we tackle Matthew 5:5, “Happy are the Meek”.