Blessed are… —Matthew 5:3-11
“When we first read the statements of Jesus, they seem
wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unnoticed into our
subconscious minds. […] Then we must decide whether or not we will accept the
tremendous spiritual upheaval that will be produced in our circumstances if we
obey His words. That is the way the Spirit of God works. […] the interpretation by the Spirit of God as He
applies our Lord’s statements to our circumstances is the strict and difficult
work of a saint. The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared
to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with
astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation
to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our
circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations—
it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His
unhindered way with us.” CHAMBERS
This is the third time in two weeks that the Sermon on the Mount
has been brought to my attention. Twice
from the pulpit at the church we attend and now in My Utmost For His Highest. I was teaching yesterday in James 1. “Count it all joy when you face trials” That
is the same joy in Galatians 5, which is a fruit of the Spirit. In the
Beatitudes the word “Blessed” means happy or glad. In both instances, there is a condition, joy
or happiness, which exists that is contrary to the external circumstances you
find yourself in. What is it that weighs upon your soul today? You can find joy and happiness and peace in
spite of whatever that maybe. The trial
may not go away. The consequences may be
severe, but you can be endure it through faith.
Look, what I am writing about is supernatural .. spiritual .. it’s not natural
… but it is no less real. But finding
joy in the midst of a storm requires your heart be submitted to the Lord. It
requires Faith. As you exercise faith, you
will find that your capacity to exercise faith increases. Faith upon faith.
God wants you to see your life in its proper context. In the context that He is sovereign over
all. That your life on this planet is
not the sum total of your existence. (Psalm 30:5) “ Weeping may last for the
night, But joy comes in the morning.” That you have an eternal nature and in Jesus you
have an eternal existence with the Father.
I don’t think that most Christians think in those terms. Living the Christian life is a lot like
driving a car. If you focus on the hood
of the car, you will zig and zag all over the road. But if you look down the road, well ahead of
the car, you have no problem staying in your lane. As we face life and what it brings, we must
focus on the Lord and not what is in front of our noses, the hood of our lives
if you will. And not only focus rightly,
but place our faith in Him, no matter what comes our way. Hear what Jesus says (Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy and my burden is light.” CHARLEY
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