Tuesday August 23, 2022

Today is Tuesday, August 23 and this week we begin praying through the teachings of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount.

I catch my breath as first light awakens the tranquil sky. Early in the morning, I turn to Jesus my Lord and yield myself to his purposes and plans for the upcoming day.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I have come to this quiet place to listen for your voice and learn your truth. Speak to my soul and guide every step to accomplish your will and glorify your name. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s goodness and seek him with the ancient words of Psalm 40.

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. Psalm 40:16-17

Pause and Pray

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with what are known as The Beatitudes – eight blessings. John Wesley, the eighteenth century founder of Methodism, said that “Our Lord first sets forth the sum of all true religion in eight parts, which he interprets and secures against the false interpretations of men.” (Sermons on Several Occasions by John Wesley, edited by William J. Abraham) Real Christianity begins in poverty of spirit. This is the foundation of everything. Oswald Chambers, early twentieth century evangelist and author, said this about the Beatitudes of Jesus, “The Beatitudes contain the “dynamite” of the Holy Spirit and they “explode” when the circumstances of our lives cause them to do so.” We must decide whether or not we will accept the tremendous spiritual upheaval that will be produced in our circumstances if we obey the words of Jesus (My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1-3

Jesus begins his sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” The poor in spirit are those who despite their outward circumstances, wealth or position recognize the utter poverty of their souls. The spiritually poor are those who recognize they are lost, are convicted of sin and realize their nature is devoid of good. They see their vast emptiness, understand they are helpless to atone for past mistakes, unable to make amends with God or save themselves. The spiritually poor know there is a ransom for their dead soul and they are unable to pay it. Recognizing one’s poverty of spirit is the first step to finding God. The helpless and poor in spirit means we no longer try to rely on ourselves – but give ourselves over to rely on our strong helper, Jesus Christ the Righteous savior. (Sermons on Several Occasions by John Wesley, edited by William J. Abraham)

Ask: Am I trying to earn my place with God through good behavior and save myself? Do I realize the utterly impoverished nature of my soul without Christ?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, my Savior, Redeemer and friend, as you once saw individuals among the multitude – see me! Sit on the hillside of my heart and speak your truth. Without you I am a desperately needy soul, an impoverished spirit, and the most destitute of vagabonds. With you I am a child of God and heir to the kingdom of heaven. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1-3

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

What does the Holy Spirit want to speak to me today about the kingdom of heaven? Is it mine? Why or why not? I consider if I have fully recognized the poverty of my own soul and the dire helplessness of my eternal condition without God. Perhaps God wants to remind me of the emptiness of heart, the stubbornness of sin, the absence of love, the resistance to forgive or the inability to change. Maybe God wants to demonstrate how much I need grace in order to mature and attain even a tiny measure of holiness. I need Jesus.

Pause and Pray

Come, Jesus, you are my King and my God. You are Lord of my life and Captain of my heart. Reveal the meager state of my character and impoverished bank account of my love. Remind me to seek you in all circumstances and trust in your grace. Amen.

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17

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

I leave this time of prayer acknowledging my poverty of spirit, humbly seeking to love, forgive and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen