Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 1, 2010
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The poor in spirit may understand their need for God in their deepest conscience, but what they need is to experience an emptying of self and a filling of the Holy Spirit. It is this recognition of spiritual poverty that they are able to receive the riches of Christ’s grace. The humble are also in position to enrich their knowledge and understanding of God’s ways. Before they knew the Lord they were void of everything, but in Christ they are in need of nothing. He makes the humble heart happy.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
How is humility developed in the attitude and heart of a follower of Jesus? It begins with a recognition and understanding of our utter dependence on God. Then, there is a willful surrender to Jesus Christ where we give over everything to Him. So, in marriage there needn’t be any negotiations regarding their mutual submission to the Lord and to each other. The humble are intentional in their service of meeting the needs of others above their own interests and desires.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8)!
Furthermore, concerning money and material goods, the Lord is the owner and we are the managers. Like Job we still bless the Lord, even when He takes away our possessions. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:21-22). We cannot lose what we never owned to begin with—happiness comes by humbly trusting God with His possessions.
The outstanding outcome of the poor in spirit is the riches of God’s kingdom. The kingdom of heaven is within all who acknowledge Jesus as King and Lord of their lives. Servants of the Lord Almighty are blessed with salvation and have all the benefits of being a son or daughter of the King. Followers of Jesus have access into His presence for peace, security and direction. True humility facilitates a happy and contented heart in Christ.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Is my happiness based on walking with Christ in humility?
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 2:7; Matthew 19:14; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 2:9
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
