APRIL 6, Matthew 5:3

Joyce and her family have moved from Singapore to China because her father has taken a job there. Her father was a senior manager in a big company and Joyce was very proud of her father’s accomplishments. The house they were to live in was a big luxurious one in an expensive area in Beijing and that made Joyce even more proud. Furthermore, Joyce was a smart girl who did well in school in Singapore and expected to do well in Beijing too.

Joyce’s father, on the other hand, was a humble Christian who, despite his wealth and senior position in his company, was keen to find a good church in Beijing so he could continue to learn God’s Word. Over dinner one evening, he mentioned he was still searching for a good church when Joyce interrupted, “Dad, perhaps we don’t need to search anymore. We already know the Bible well enough, and I don’t think there is anything we can learn here. Besides, we are wealthy and sometimes, I wonder if we need God to help us…”

Joyce’ parents were shocked. The night before, they just had family devotion on Matthew 5:3, and her dad thought Joyce didn’t seem interested. However, he didn’t confront her as he thought she may have been too tired. But what Joyce said revealed what was in her heart: pride and probably a life not surrendered to Jesus. Her dad was very concerned and he once again taught from Matthew 5:3, that the proud won’t inherit the Kingdom of Heaven as they are not yet saved. Only those who are truly repentant and fully aware that they are absolutely dependent on God’s help alone can enter Heaven.

As Joyce laid in bed that night, she realised that although she has been going to church for years, she has been a secretly proud person and has not really accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. So that night, she gave her life to Jesus.

Thought: Are you poor in spirit?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me trust and depend on You with all my heart. Help me not to rely on myself and my own way of doing things but instead, direct me in all that I do and help me to do Your will all the time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.