Forgotten Promises Resurrected, Matthew 5:3

Matthew 5:3 NKJV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”.

Let's define "Poor in spirit"

1828 Webster’s Dictionary definition of, “Poor in Spirit”:  

POOR in spirit, in a Scriptural sense, humble; contrite; abased in one's own sight by a sense of guilt. Matthew 5:3.

I still have questions...

If you are like me, this definition brought two more questions.  What are the definition of contrite and abased.  I think I have a pretty good idea, but the definitions are below because I’m not 100% sure.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary:

CONTRITE, adjective [Latin , to break or bruise; to rub or wear. See Trite.] Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contritesinner.

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17.

ABA'SED, participle passive, Reduced to a low state, humbled, degraded.

Matthew 5:3 rewritten without the words “poor in spirit”

“Blessed are the broken hearted because of their sin and they are deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God.  Those that view themselves as reduced to a low state, humbled and degraded.   For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven”

Wow!  This gives me a whole new meaning of this promise.  All pride, arrogance, vanity, haughtiness, hatred, and the like have to not be part of who we are at all!  All the things of this world need to be let go and we need to recognize not only who we are but, also realize who made it possible for us to enter Heaven.  God’s grace and mercy and Jesus sacrifice on the cross where He gave all so we could be viewed as righteous.  We need to recognize it's nothing that we can do and that it's ALL God.

According to this promise, it was easy for me to read the part about the kingdom of Heaven being mine, but I never dissected “poor in spirit” before.  And my definition of “poor in spirit” was not even close to that actual meaning.  Ugh!  Thank God for all eternity to learn His ways.

Here is what I have learned, especially since my stroke just over 5 years ago:

1. My strength, no matter how strong I think I am, I’m nothing without Jesus.

2. Everything I once took pride in has been taken from me, and I have realized that it was never mine to begin with.  It was a gift from God.

3. The same today, I’m totally blessed to be here today, I realized that more than ever when my granddaughter was born January 7th just 12 days ago.  And I know it’s all because God wants me to be here and He has a purpose for me.  And everything that I am, it’s because of the gifts He gave to me.  Like the gifts of speech, sight, love, ability to read and write, walk, and the ability to form thoughts to name just a few.   All things I once took for granted.  How about you, what gifts have you taken for granted?

Pride is a Hard Pill to Swallow

I’m not sure I would have swallowed my pride without having the stroke.  Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” definitely is true and my life is a living testament to that fact.  It was very hard to go from the leader of the pack to not even being part of the pack.  It was also hard to ask or accept help when I was always helping others.  I still had a choice, I could have held on to my pride and could have been very stubborn.  But that not what I chose.  I chose to totally submit to God and run to Jesus to gather His strength.  I don’t share to brag but to let you know what I am where I am today because I was able to do submit and realize to go forward in this life I needed them. and that I couldn't do it on my own.  Whether you realize it or not, you need them too.  I would never wish a stroke on anybody, it’s been the physically and mentally most challenging thing in my life but it also brought me closer to God.  And the relationship I have today I wouldn’t trade for anything.  So please, evaluate your own relationship with God, really take a deep dive into how you relate to God the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit and take the necessary steps to make your relationship stronger.  I’m sure you already know what you should be doing but you’re not for various reasons.  My advice, stop waiting to know God on a deeper level!

May you always walk in the Truth!