Mourning and Rejoicing

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, or they will be comforted.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

The context of Matthew 5:4 indicates the ability to truly mourn over sin and evil to the glory of God. This is the result of true conviction of the Holy Spirit (Ps. 32:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; cf. Luke 15:18) which is a blessing (compare to the "woe" of Luke 6:25). As Paul says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Cor. 7:10). It is cause to rejoice evermore (1 Thess. 5:16). As Isaiah says, "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified" (Isa. 61:2-3, KJV; cf. Rev. 7:17).

God's kingdom has been inaugurated in Christ. It continues through his Church, and it will consummate in the Second Coming when "he will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away... " (Rev. 21:4). So, there is a present and eschatological rejoicing, as he who began a good work in us will complete it (Phil. 1:6). This type of present and future comfort is reason to rejoice evermore (Phil. 3:1; 4:4; Rev. 19:1-10).

So, viewed biblically, these two realities may complement one another.