RPG Adults
TRUE HAPPINESS IN CHRIST: REALISE YOUR SPIRITUAL POVERTY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5
Psalm 51
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
TRUE HAPPINESS IN CHRIST:
REALISE YOUR SPIRITUAL POVERTY
Many think that they can have happiness when they have what they want: health, wealth, fame, popularity, position in society, a good job, a nice family and a lot of money in the bank. But sadly, when they get all these material blessings, there is still emptiness in their heart. Without the Lord and His blessing, no one can find true and lasting happiness. King Solomon had great wisdom, power, fame, wealth and everything he liked. Moreover, he was very talented (1 Kgs 4:32). But in the end what did he say? “I hated life; for all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Eccl 2:17).
Thank God that we can find true happiness in Christ Jesus. His first Beatitude is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor in spirit refer to those who are in spiritual poverty and helplessness. They realise that they lack God’s glory and spiritual qualities, they lack love for God and for mankind, they lack holiness, righteousness, wisdom, patience, humility, obedience, etc. If we realise that we are spiritually poor, then we are the blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is ours. The Lord Jesus rebukes the church of the Laodiceans, as they say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev 3:17). Sadly, the philosophy of the world today is to promote “self ” with self-esteem, self-confidence, self-image, self-importance, etc., with positive thinking, “I am good, I am able, I am smart,” and never, “I am bad, I am helpless, I am hopeless.” How can they humble themselves and come to the Lord Jesus in repentance and submission? They miss His true happiness!
THOUGHT: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief ” (1 Tim 1:15).
PRAYER: O Father, help me to see my own spiritual poverty and Thy riches in me.