DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This scripture is one of the first of the beatitudes that Jesus taught when he was speaking to a crowd of people who were sick. Now, the group of people there weren’t just people who were sick as in not feeling well, they were paralyzed, crippled, diseased, and outcasts of society. They were around Jesus to get a physical healing but Jesus knew what they really needed – which was a healing of their thoughts, hearts, and souls. In his healing efforts he gave them something great as an anticipation that could help them even in their current circumstances.
Jesus pointed to heaven as the place to concentrate on not their affliction. Being blessed would suggest that you were happy and content in being holy or set aside and being poor in spirit referred to being spiritually bankrupt; without God. So wait? The person who is content in being spiritually bankrupt can look forward to the kingdom of heaven? Well sort of, actually Jesus was pointing to their recognition of being without God and from that knowledge, these would be the people who would most urgently seek after his kingdom to do his will; essentially doing whatever it takes to be with God in heaven because they knew they didn’t have the spirituality they needed to be in the presence of God. Does that sound familiar to you?
So how does this relate to us today? Simply put, have you recognized how spiritually bankrupt you are without God? Do you really understand how poor in spirit you are or could be if you didn’t have God’s word to show you how to live? Do you really believe you’d be able to secure a place for yourself in heaven without recognizing you (& I) are an absolute sinner and we need Jesus’ spiritual currency to get us into heaven? If you really knew these things, the kingdom of heaven would be yours too. Why? Well because you’d be doing everything in your power to obey God’s word so that you didn’t go before him spiritually bankrupt. The power of the blessing is faith in Jesus’ ability to supply the spiritual lack that we have, which in turn helps us live a life pleasing unto God and having us heaven bound!
Today we pray that you evaluate your spirit. What is your spirit being filled up with and where will it lead you in the end. I submit to you today, if you’re placing your faith in Jesus Christ for him to pour into you spiritually, He will convict you, He will inspire you, and He will empower you to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. With that being said, I’ll see you in heaven. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!