Thursday, May 15- Matthew 5:3-4

hey guys,

I'll admit, I struggled with these verses- how do they apply to me, how can they apply to you? I'm not poor (not many Americans are really poor in comparison to the desperate poverty in places around the globe), I'm not mourning any losses at the moment. So, how can this scripture speak to me?
First, I just started thinking about poverty and what it means- basically, that a person is in real need of the necessities in life- just to survive day to day. Without someone reaching out to them, they will go without. I think of emptiness and desperation.
But, I realized that the verse isn't talking about financial poverty- but spiritual poverty. What could that mean? Emptying yourself of all the stuff that gets in the way of you feeling the need for God. Someone living in poverty is desperate for help. Are you desperate for God? I like the way my Bible (New Living) translation reads verse 3:
"God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them."
How much do you really need God right now? Is your life filled with so many things that you don't realize your need for Him?
Did you notice the blessing given to those who realize their need for God? The Kingdom of Heaven!! How's that for a reward?! (the word 'bless' is a churchy word for reward or gift) Blessings for those who are in financial need are things like food, clothing, shelter...but, since Jesus is talking about a spiritual need- the greatest blessing is an eternal blessing.

And the same goes for mourning (verse 4), there is emptiness, longing, and desperation. I can say there is nothing like the feeling I had than the time I mourned the loss of someone a couple of years ago. I have had some dark times in my life, but none quite like that- I experienced such desperation for God, nothing else mattered to me but to receive all the love and comfort God had to give.
I believe that's what these verses are trying to tell us today- that we need to get to a place where we are desperate for God. Push away the things that make us so rich that we forget about God sometimes. God loves us and wants to bless us- this chapter is filled with the blessings God wants to pour out on us. Give Him the chance to shower you with His blessings- empty yourself of the things you 'think' you need at the moment, become poor so God can richly bless you!!


I love you guys and pray for you constantly,
Pam S.