Webster's Dictionary says mourn is to feel or express grief or sorrow, to show cutomary signs of grief for a death, to murmur mournfully-used expressions of doves. Those who shared the sense of loss joined with the family for this period of time openly and emotionally expressing their feelings, often with wailing.
In the prophets, the image of such grieving is linked with God's coming judgments, as the nation itself would die befor the promised rebirth would occur (see references to "mourn" in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) In the Gospels, the word is often found linked with Jewish funeral mourning customs(Matthew 11:17, 24:30)
"We played wedding songs and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't mourn." Mt. 24:30 says"and then at last , the sign that the son of man is coming will appear in the heaven and there will be deep mourning among all the people of the earth. And they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with poser and great glory.
Luke 8:52 says the house was filled with people weeping and wailing but he said "Stop the weeping. She isn't dead; she's only aslelep. Luke 23:27 says that a large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
Mouning is used similarly in Revelation 1:7, 18, 19: Revelation 1:7 "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven and everyone will see him even those who pierced him. and all the nations of the world will mourn for him, yes. Amen! Rev. 18:9 says "and the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke riding from her charred remains." In fact, in only two of the eight meanings for mourning in the New Testament if not directly associated with deep grief and bothe of them relate to Jesus' tiumphal entry(Mt 21:8, Mk 11:8) Mt. 21:8 says that "Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of them on the road and others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. Mark 11: 8 says" Many in the crowd spead their garments on the road ahead of him and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the field. It is indeed good to reflect on the changes that Jesus' more perfect vision of our future brings. Because we know that when Jesus returns we will arise to join him, we do not "grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope 1 Thess. 4 13. Show them great respect and whole hearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. The word means "to feel deep emotional or physical pain." And we look forward to eternity when "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" Rev. 21:4.
Most notalble is the use of the word in the beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Mt. 5: 4. It is best to understand his phrase in the contexxt of Jesus' purpose in The Beatitude, where he contrasted the values of His kingdom and those of the world. The world considers blessed, not those who mourn, but the one who finds happiness in temporary experiences. It is the one who is dissatisfied and pained by what the world has to offer who will find the comfort that is offered by a living relationship with God. Our God can comfort us in anything we need comfort in. Because God is all knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering. Our God is perfect. God is our creator and he is love. He is Redeemer. He is shepherd. He is savior, Lord and Father. He is judge. He is comforter. He is teacher; He is I AM. Our God is the mighty one. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength, our sustainer. Our rescuer.. Our fortress. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. While you have time on the earth, use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever! He will comfort you. May God keep you and bless you. this is my prayer.
This devotion was written and presented by Minister Cheryl M. Pumphrey to incarcerated ladies in a powerful and passionate manner. Thank you, Cheryl, for your obedience to a higher calling.
