8 Steps to Righteousness by Faith, #1: Awareness

The Second Beatitude – Favored (Blessed) Are They Who Mourn, for They Will Be Comforted

The Interpretation
There is favor pronounced upon all who mourn. This is significant because if there were no mourners in our world, Christ could not have revealed to us the parental character of God. Mourning the loss of our old lives is a necessary prerequisite before we can recover, change, and know the favor of God’s comfort.

The Relationship to Daniel and Revelation
Daniel 10 describes the period when the Jews had been captured and taken into exile from their homeland because of their sins. Subsequently, some 50 years later, God allowed the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This was a time of difficulty and stress for the Jews.

It also describes a three-week time of trouble and mourning for Daniel himself. During that time, Daniel:

• Did not eat any choice food
• Did not eat meat or drink wine
• Did not use any lotions

Revelation, however, repeats the theme of mourning in chapters 6–12, predicting mourning again in the future, during the "time of trouble" just before Jesus’ triumphant return. Revelation goes on to provide expanded information about mourning, giving encouragement: “He (Jesus) will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away!”

Living the Grace Today
Jesus said you must abandon the life of sin. When you do, it’s okay to go through a period of mourning as you nail your ego to the cross. When you reach the stage of mourning—step two in your righteousness by faith journey—be encouraged! Remember that you are favored because you will be comforted by having a new and better life—the life of grace.