PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 6:17-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)
What usually comes to mind when someone says, ‘I’m blessed’?
We use these words to describe all our positive blessings.
When life – our children, or finances, or health, or situation – is good.
Jesus does not speak this way, which ought to make us think.
Jesus says the poor, hungry, sad or bullied are the blessed ones.
It seems that God is especially close to people like this.
So close that they can be considered more blessed than others.
Can you imagine saying ‘I’m blessed’ the next time you are struggling?
Maybe our physical ‘blessings’ are not so much blessings afterall.
Such ‘blessings’ can often distract us from God, or make us forget him.
What about my struggles, are they actually bringing me closer to God?
Is it possible that the real blessing is how God is at work in me?
Helping me, pruning me, stretching me, strengthening me.
God with me, no matter what I’m going through, THIS is being ‘blessed’!
PRAYER
Lord, I do not want to struggle, but neither do I want to be deceived by worldly comforts. I want to know the blessing of being close to you, no matter what I am going through!
Poor, hungry, mourning and hated – because of my faith in Jesus! There are Christians who lose everything and are hungry – because they have been dispossessed of their home an livelihood. Many have lost loved ones that were persecuted and killed and most are hated and despised – Jesus says they are blessed because they put their faith in him. Forgive me Lord for thinking that I can live independent of you! They’ve lost everything – but not you! Help me to ‘lose’ all that I hold dear, to entrust it to you – assigning it all to your kingdom – so that I may not be distracted from a closer walk with you!
The people then sought Jesus. I must do the same. True happiness/blessedness is found in Him alone. That I must seek each day anew. Today is His day as is every day. To be truly happy, I need to walk in His SonShine all the time seeking His Way as I live for Jesus.
1 I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true,
no, I was found of thee.
2 Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine enfold,
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea.
‘Twas not so much that I on thee took hold
as thou, dear Lord, on me.
3 I find, I walk, I love, but, oh, the whole
of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee!
For thou wert long beforehand with my soul,
always thou lovedst me.