Do We Know How Poor We Are?

Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 6:20-26 ESV

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor now,  
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who are hungry now,  
for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,  
for you shall laugh. 
22 Blessed are you when people hate you  
and when they exclude you and revile you  
and spurn your name as evil,  
on account of the Son of Man!
23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy,  
for behold, your reward is great in heaven;
for so their fathers did to the prophets.
24 But woe to you who are rich,  
for you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full now,  
for you shall be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,  
for you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you, when all people speak well of you,
for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”
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God has promised blessing to those who are His,
to those who walk in His ways,
to those who put their trust in Him.
He blesses those who believe.
They are blessed not because of their own merit,
or their own ability,
or their own perfection,
but because of their faith and trust in Him.

When pressed to answer, do we believe this to be true?
I think most of us would answer yes, of course.
However, what do our daily schedules tell us
or others of what we actually believe?
What do our actions, our purchase decisions, or our priorities say?
I sense underneath the surface, our underlying motives,
reveal that our flesh believes something quite different.
And without realizing it we subtly follow the flesh.

The flesh of some is convinced that
living in the right house on the right street,
in the hippest part of town will make them blessed.
The flesh of others is convinced that
the house out in the middle of the country,
with no traffic, no other houses in sight,
with plenty of land to grow their
own veggies would be the answer.

For others
it is education, the right job, the right friends,
the right clothes, well-behaved children, or no debt
that they think would make them happy or secure.
The list could go on and on.

Most Christians if asked think that they put their trust in
Jesus, but underlying this “belief” is the belief that
having Jesus plus the right whatever is what they really need.

How can we really hear what Jesus is saying and listen?
Take a moment to ask the Lord to reveal what you really believe.
Do you want to know?

Jesus says,
blessed are those who know their poverty, know their need,
and look to God for they will receive blessing.
Blessed are those who know that
they are absolutely destitute and desperate.

Ask Jesus to help you know and feel your poverty.
Ask Him to help you see that without Him
at the very center of your heart and life–
Him as your all and your everything–
that you have nothing.

TAKING GOD’S WORD TO HEART

It is a gift from the Lord when we feel powerless over our sin,
it is His mercy and grace that enables us
to stop trying to cover over our failings and faults and turn to him.
Those who are “poor” in spirit and turn to God
and cry out for His mercy are truly blessed.
They have been given eyes to see their need and their inadequacy.
In their desperation they run to God.

They pray with the psalmist:

Psalm 28:2, 6, 8
2  Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.

6 Blessed be the LORD!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

8 To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy…

And when they confess their sins to the Lord,
the Scripture says of them:

Romans 4:7-8
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom  
the Lord will not count his sin.”

And not just concerning sin.
Those who are “poor” in wealth, in talent, in physical ability,
in intellect, or in any way, who look to the Lord
and place their trust in Him are blessed.
For it is not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit.
Christian, are you feeling weak and impoverished?
Is your cupboard bare?
Are you unable to measure up?
Be blessed.
Acknowledge your finitude, your frailty,
your faults, your feebleness and look to God.
Rest in Him.

Trust Him and obey His Word.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following passage from Luke 6 and recite it 3 times.
Take it with you throughout the day.

23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy,  
for behold, your reward is great in heaven;
for so their fathers did to the prophets.
24 But woe to you who are rich,  
for you have received your consolation.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, show me my poverty.
And show me your riches of blessings
for those who will trust in you.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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