“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
Acknowledging our poverty in spirit is humility. It occurs when a man or
woman realizes his or her own utter lack of resources to meet life and finds his
or her strength in God. Such an attitude leads one away from attachment to
things to attachment to God and heaven. The word for poor here means
absolute, abject poverty. We can thus paraphrase the first Beatitude this
way:
Blessed are those who have realized their own utter helplessness and
inadequacy and who have put their whole trust in God. Such a person will humbly
accept the will of God and thus become a citizen of the kingdom.
Christians especially in countries like Pakistan find this a great comfort,
for the majority of them are road sweepers and do menial jobs that others will
not do. They are denied better jobs often because they are illiterate. Their
children have no access to higher education and so the cycle of poverty
continues with little hope of a break. Surely this message is also for them. As
they put their complete trust and hope in the Lord, they are assured of a place
in the Kingdom of God.
A Chinese Christian woman, a leader in her church, was arrested and put in
prison. Led of the Lord, she volunteered to do hard labor, cleaning the filthy
prison cells on her knees. This humble work gave her opportunity to sing and
share Jesus with the prisoners in each cell. Through her words and actions many
prisoners came to know the Lord in a personal relationship.
RESPONSE: Today I acknowledge my helplessness and inadequacy and place my
complete trust in God.
PRAYER: Lord, help me express true humility in practical ways today and
show that my trust is in You alone.
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