2020 Daily Devotion - Day 154

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Matthew 5:1-3 RSV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
 
Who are the “poor in spirit”? Dr. Fredrick Dale Brunner says, “The poor in spirit are the people who recognize that they are helpless without God’s help.” This concept sets the stage for the next three chapters of Matthew’s Gospel which we know as the Sermon on the Mount. 

Perhaps right now you are feeling overwhelmed. Circumstances are such that you are confused and burdened. Maybe there are issues unrelated to the pandemic with which you are dealing and the combination of the two is getting to be too much. Jesus says when we get to that point, we are “blessed”. You might be thinking you feel far from being blessed. But the word here for blessed can be translated to “I am with you”, or “I am on your side”. 

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we need the blessedness of knowing You are with us and on our side.  Knowing we are not going through all of this alone and that You will even carry us, if need be, means everything. Help us to find peace in these words of Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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