Blessed are those who mourn
for they will be comforted.
—Matthew 5:4
Jesus isn’t speaking of those who mourn the loss of a loved one or friend, but of those who mourn over their sins: it isn’t the sorrow of bereavement but the sorrow of sinfulness.
Our sins took the only sinless one who ever lived and impaled him on the Cross. Heart-broken sorrow for our sins is the path to blessedness. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps 51:17).
We are right to make much of grace but wrong to make light of sin. No one will repent unless they are sorry for their sins. But those who confess and mourn their sins will be comforted by the assurance of forgiveness.
Dear God, “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll” (Ps 56:8).
Saying “I’m sorry”
goes a long way with God.