‘“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,#5:3 Greek poor in spirit. for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.’ Matthew 5:3-5(NLT)
‘Let all that I am praise the Lord ; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord ; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.’ Psalms 103:1-1(NLT)
‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.’ Psalms 139:23(NLT)
‘Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ‘ Hebrews 12:28(NLT)
‘Lord , hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!’ Psalms 102:1(NLT)
‘Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.’ Psalms 130:2(NLT)
O the blessedness of those whose hearts are acutely aware that they have nothing and are nothing apart from Christ. O the blessedness of those whose hearts are broken and crushed and can see clearly that it was their sin that put their Savior on the tree. In their spiritual poverty and in their grief over their sin, they have been swept up in the arms of a mighty Savior.
The Beatitudes speak of a blessedness that pursues us in the midst of great trial and that is even gathered in abundance at the bottom of the pit. It is a blessedness that is spread like a banquet before us in the moments of greatest disappointment and in the shadow of towering failure.
Jesus grants this blessing to those who follow His call. Blessed are those who have left everything to follow Christ because He gives them everything, absolutely everything. What about you? Are you willing to be poor? Are you willing to leave everything? Are you willing to say that everything you have is nothing and look to Christ to give you everything?
PRAISE HIM
Praise God for His lovingkindness and compassion using Psalm 103:1-14. He knows our past, present, and future. He loves us even though He knows what we have done, where we are weak now, and what our failures will be in the future.
ADMIT TO HIM
Pray Psalm 139:23. Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal any unseen things. Ask Him to show you where you are, which path you are on, and if you have taken any detours.
THANK HIM
Read Hebrews 12:28 and thank God. Thank you, Lord, for all you have done for us. Help us see your plan from the view of heaven’s throne and give us grateful hearts.
ASK HIM
Read Psalm 102:1 and Psalm 130:2. Ask the Lord for whatever you need. He wants to hear your honest plea. Nothing is too small, too insignificant, or too weird to bring before His throne. Come to Him in weakness. He will move in His power. He will hear your prayer.
TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.
from Jesus, I Need You Part 7