Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

After King David's adultery and murder God sent a prophet to the King to rebuke him for his sinful ways. It was only then that David came to repentance. In Psalm 51 the King speaks of his sin and pleads for forgiveness. One cannot read that Psalm without seeing a brokenhearted King. David says, "blot out my transgressions... wash me... cleanse me... my sin is ever before me" (Ps.51:1-2) and bases his hope on God's faithful response to the truly penitent, saying, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Ps.51:17).

When the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) left his father and traveled to a distant country he found out that it wasn't so easy going it alone. Now penniless and starving he finally came to his senses and decided to return home. When he returned he came with words from a broken heart saying, "I have sinned against heaven and in your sight I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 15:21). The father ran to meet him and rejoiced greatly upon his return and restored him to his former position.

The apostle Peter once claimed that he would die for the Lord before he would ever deny Him. But when the pressure was on, Peter did deny Him, not once but three times. Upon his third denial he heard the rooster crow just as Jesus said he would. Just then, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. The Bible records Peter's response, saying, that Peter "went out and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:62). Peter of course would be restored and used powerfully in the Kingdom.

All three made the same journey to the place of the broken heart. They were all mourners. They were all comforted. A prophecy concerning the Messiah said that He was coming to "bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1). It doesn't matter who we are, or where we are, we all need to go to this place of the broken heart and true repentance. "Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted".

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