“God blesses those who realize their need for Him.” Matthew 5:3 NLT.
Sometimes, what you have blinds you to what you could have.
My thoughts and comments today are about “being real.”
Recently my comments were about “Being Exemplary.” That’s quite a lofty aspiration. (See Monday, January 27, 2014, EDL Archive, www.allenrandolph.com) Ever wondered how “being exemplary” would look in everyday live? I love the Bible for its practical applications. Over the next few devotionals, I would like to consider with you the practical examples that Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount, “The Beatitudes.” Read Matthew 5:1-12 NLT. Jesus offers extraordinary, moral and spiritual characteristics of Christ-likeness that define an exemplary life. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 NKJV. God intends abounding blessings for your life.
(1) To those who prize nothing of their own to boast, God gives all He has to offer. “God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of God is given to them.” Matthew 5:3 NLT. Spiritual sensitivity is the essential quality for this promised blessing. In my favorite children’s book, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” author Margery Williams, imaginatively describes a child’s stuffed rabbit who has the ambition of becoming “real,” not forever remaining a toy. Upon hearing the process and pain of becoming real, the rabbit, “wished that he could become real without those uncomfortable things happening to him.”
We are much like that; we wish to be people in whom the Kingdom of God flourishes, but “without uncomfortable things happening,” – without becoming real. Not realizing your need for God at all times is either pretense or delusion. Sadly, people seem to prefer God’s blessings on their own terms, not His. Jesus gave a remarkable promise with such a simple qualification. The Kingdom of God – “every place and everything within His rule and authority” – is accessible to those who realize their need – “absolute lack and complete reliance upon God.” Paul writes to people who are being real, “Knowing that you were called to this, that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NKJV.
Not really that complicated is it? Except that there is an inherent pridefulness and pretense of self-sufficiency that limit your willingness to admit such embarrassing need. Sometimes, what you have blinds you to what you could have. Jesus cautioned, “The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the [Word of God], and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:19 NKJV.
Jesus’ loving warning to the Church in Laodicea is relevant, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you . .” Read Revelation 3:17-18 NIV. Unrighteous dependence on inadequate things will preempt your reliance upon God. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself . . Apart from me you can do nothing.” Galatians 6:3 NIV/John 15:5 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that your life be seen by others as being real.