Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
This passage of scripture pronounces a much needed blessing on those who mourn, for help is on the way, and they will be comforted. Although the primary focus of this particular scripture is the mourning for sins that have been committed, and the confession and repentance which should always follow, it also includes those who are mourning literally, for the loss of loved ones and friends who are taken away from us by untimely deaths. God is not to be viewed as being only interested in spiritual things such as doctrines, and righteousness, and faith, for He is also very interested in our everyday well-being, and thus, whenever we are hurting because of untimely deaths, He also is affected, because senseless tragedies, and even death by natural causes reaches back to His heart. Let's read:
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
In the national tragedy which took place recently in South Carolina, we get a preview of what is to befall our world on a more global scale, for the Bible states that evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, meaning that those who are not restrained by the power of The Holy Spirit, will be capable of the most heinous crimes, as their minds become fully controlled by evil spirits. The pilot of the German wings flight, who flew that aircraft at full throttle into the sides of the mountain, with its human cargo on board, was possessed by the very same evil spirits, which drove Mr. Roof to execute nine Christians in cold blood during their Bible study session.
And according to the Bible, in both instances, and in similar ones that have come and gone, and those occurrences that are on the way, the one and the same spirit is behind all of them, a cold reality that is not currently acknowledged in most scientific circles, but which will one day soon, have to be reckoned with. In speaking of the root cause of all such gruesome activities, stretching from the Middle East to the western world, Christ put His finger on the real problem, and showed who is really behind the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity, and it's none other than our arch-enemy, the devil. Let's read:
John 48:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
However, in and through all of these occurrences, the Christian can find solace in the fact that God will not permit these things to go on forever, but will one day soon, call to account all who persist in following their evil ways, and He has promised that satan the root, and his followers the branches, that have brought so much distress upon the planet, will be permanently dealt with.
In lieu of this, it is our sacred duty to pray as never before, and to look up, knowing that our redemption draws near, and it is the will of God that we dwell on His promises of final restoration, as we mourn with those who have lost loved ones and friends. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which promises us that God will one day soon, wipe away all tears, and the promises made to those who mourn will be fulfilled in due season. Let's read:
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!