Matthew 5:3 (KJV) Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

It is of no coincidence the first beatitude we see in Scripture is the premise of how we come to God. Jesus was not referring to a materialistic position of being poor. Yet, he was referring to the acknowledgment of man’s spiritual bankrupt position. Man must see himself poor, needy, destitute and in need of help. He must first humble himself and all manner in order to come to God. Man must fully depend on God. This is the first condition for God’s blessing on our life. Pride is the great gulf that separates man from God. The day Lucifer sought glory for himself, he became Satan. Lucifer was lifted in pride, “I don’t need God, I can become as God!” He then deceived Eve into the same mind frame, he said, “you can become as God if you partake of the fruit!” Pride say’s, “I don’t need God. Pride say’s I can make it on my own. Yet, Jesus is saying, Blessed (happy) is the man who sees he is poor in spirit

Psalm 138:6 (KJV) Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Humility… 

~ Is the key to coming to God.

~ It is the key to staying at the foot of the cross.

~ It is the key to staying Meek and humble with our brethren.

Albert Barnes said, “to be poor in spirit is to have a humble opinion of ourselves; to be sensible that we are sinners, and have no righteousness of our own; to be willing to be saved only by the riches of grace and mercy of God. It is opposed to pride, vanity, and ambition.”  It prevents us from having a spirit of entitlement.

The paradox of being poor in spirit is as the human will decreases, humility increases. David said, The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 I believe Jesus was saying, if you’ll keep a sense of spiritual bankruptcy, a need for me each and every day of our life, it will help us to stay connected to the vine, then I will always be there for you. I’ll be with you, I will never for sake you. Pride pride says I can do it by myself, but being poor in spirit says I can’t do anything without Jesus: that my friends is the premise of being poor in spirit. Jesus said, I am the vine you are the branches he that abides in me and I in him shall bring forth much fruit for without me he can do nothing. John 15:5

Charles Spurgeon said, a ladder if it is to be of any use must have its first step near the ground or feeble climbers Will never be able to mount. It would be a grievous discouragement to struggling faith if Jesus would have began by saying Blessed are the pure in heart.

Being poor in spirit places the proceeding blessings into proper perspective. No one mourns until they are poor in spirit; no one is meek until he has a humble self-view. If you don’t see your own need for Him, you will never hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Application: 

• Depend on God in understanding and seek His wisdom! 

All the Philosophy in the world, and human knowledge cannot save us. Look around at the shape of this world: they lean on human understanding! Learn to depend on Him in our mind, and He will always direct our path!

Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

•  Depend on God’s Strength, not our own. 

Walking in our own strength can only carry us so far in life. When we lean on God’s strength, He will carry the load for us. We place the outcome of life in His hands.

Psalm 84:5 (KJV)  Blessed [is] the man whose strength [is] in thee; in whose heart [are] the ways [of them].

Psalm 28:7,8 (KJV) The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. 8 The LORD [is] their strength, and he [is] the saving strength of his anointed.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

•  Depend on His Timing!!  

Oh how true this is!!! In this life, we must learn a valuable lesson: To wait on the Lord!!! To think if Abraham would have learned that lesson: Islam is from the seed of Abraham’s impatience. We live in a world of instant gratification, and it gets us into a heap of trouble! Depend on God’s timing, and trust His ways, and we shall live blessed!!!

Psalm 31:14 (KJV)  But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God. My times [are] in thy hand:

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. 

Psalm 27:14 (KJV) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 37:34 (KJV) Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].

Psalm 40:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

• Trust in His Wealth. 

We must remember, God is the source of ALL MY RESOURCE. Man trusts in his riches, he seeks to store treasures up for himself, but as the old saying is….I’ve never seen a Uhaul following a hearse. We must learn to trust God for all provisions in life. We must depend on His riches, not our own.

Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Being poor in spirit is simply realizing, we need Jesus every moment of every day! Without Him, we can do nothing!!! Total dependency, that’s the secret to coming to God!!!

Be Blessed, JDS🙏