What Even is “Poor in Spirit?” | Matthew 5:3
September 16, 2023
What does “Blessed are the poor in spirit” really mean?
Psalm 33 might not be written by David. There is no conclusive evidence. We are going to pretend he did. Although, I don’t really know why it would matter because I am the one who set up the arbitrary rules of what the study of the Psalms would be like. So, on to Psalm 33. It makes sense to me that David would write this because it is talking about a new song and playing a stringed instrument, which David was very good at. Verse 3 even says play skillfully. Seems exclusive, but okay. I get it.
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[9:00] As I was digging into this psalm it struck me that we always think we have to have a reason to praise the Lord. Like it has to be specific. We have to qualify it. Very rarely do we just shout out praise for no reason other than shouting out praise. I am for us all trying to shout hallelujah or Yes, Lord or thank you, Jesus as the mood strikes. We might be surprised what happens. It will either be weird looks or an impromptu prayer meeting. I think we can all deal with either.
[10:30] Shout for joy because of the Lord is what the NET says, and Passion says praise him with all you have. The first three verses are telling us to praise the Lord. As best as we can with all that we have. Sing a new song, David says. God is so good that surely we can come up with a new praise. He deserves it. He is doing a new thing every single day. We should be able to praise him for it in a new way. What does Jeremiah say in Lamentations? “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, emphasis mine) I mean…love, compassion that is new every morning. What’s not to praise? I need that. And as it’s new, I don’t have to worry about it running out. And there will be new tomorrow. Is that the point of a new song? Every day a new song of praise because my praise should not run out. We have a whole new day’s love and compassion to be thankful for. Amen? Amen.
[11:19] Need another reason to sing? Verse four is a reminder of that reliability God has that we have been talking about the past couple of weeks. Am I the only one that has been missing the reliable part my whole life? We hear all the time that God is faithful and true. He keeps his promises. But I don’t think I have ever taken that a step further to see it as how immensely reliable the Lord is. In my current season that is so good to be reminded of. “The earth is full of his unfailing love.” (verse 5) The Hebrew grammar used there is active. That means it is in ongoing. How can that be? Because, you guessed it, it’s new every morning. More love and compassion to go in.
[14:43] An important fact to keep in mind is that we are talking about the Creator, Elohim. He made the earth, the stars, etc. In the next few verses creation is discussed using the same language used in Genesis. I appreciate that accountability and cohesiveness. The NLT says, “The LORD merely spoke” and creation happened. Passion says, “his voice scooped out the sea” and “words he breathed and worlds were birth”. Again, this is a divine ongoing activity. He is actively keeping everything in its place. That’s comforting, isn’t it?
We are constantly being told the end is near and that the CO2 emissions and the polar ice caps and extreme weather, but really, we know better. The LORD, the Creator, is keeping active in maintaining his creation. Yes, it looks a mess, and it does sometimes appear that the waters are going to get the upper hand and they just might if God takes away his hand that scoops the waters out. That’s where the fear of the Lord becomes important. Not a fear that worries he might let his grip slip, but a fear that is respect for the Lord’s authority that causes us to be in awe. His plans will come to pass. His intentions and purposes will not be shaken. That’s a good thing.
[23:22] Just like in Psalm 31 when David tells us that God is aware of our anguish, he again tells us that God is in his dwelling place watching all who live on earth, he sees all mankind; “he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do”. This really gives perspective on having grace. We aren’t privy to the inner workings of people. We may think we know the motivations of people, but do we really? Even the most evil acts…God sees the why. Simply put, we haven’t walked a mile in someone else’s shoes. We have to be careful on our judgements because we don’t necessarily know all the facts. Only God does.
[28:26] God has his plans that are not going to fail and he understands what motivates people and nothing we do with armies, horses, strength, power is going to throw him off course. Even if we think we have it all figured out. Even if we think we can do things on our own in our own might. Only God can save us. The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him. That is recognition. That is what happens to those that rely on him and his faithfulness.
[32:44]
“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”
(Psalm 33:20-22 NIV)
“The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wrap-around presence will strengthen us. As we trust, we rejoice with an uncontained joy flowing from Yahweh! Let your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually, for we trust and we wait upon you!”
(Psalm 33:20-22 Passion)
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