Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:3, Psalm 142:1-5, 1 Samuel 1:1-18, Isaiah 57:15-19, Revelation 21:3-7

Somewhere along the way, I got the impression that the kingdom was for shiny people. 

You know…the ones who ooze joy…the ones who sing through the storm…the ones who cry without letting their mascara run. Shiny people with shiny faith, bright enough to push back the dark places of life. 

Here’s the problem with that logic: the Bible isn’t a collection of stories of shiny people. It’s a gritty book filled with stories of people whose lives were made grimy by sin—people rescued and redeemed by the Lord who also spoke truthfully in their brokenness.

Hannah said, “I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment” (1Samuel 1:16). Elijah told God, “I have had enough! LORD, take my life” (1Kings 19:4). David, too, cried to the Lord,“My whole being is shaken with terror. And you, LORD—how long?” (Psalm 6:3).  

And then there are these sentiments, uttered by our perfect Savior: “I am deeply grieved to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38).

Not shiny, just honest. 

Brokenness is an unavoidable part of the human experience. No news flash there, but this beatitude is a headline worth proclaiming to all who think the kingdom only belongs to the bright and shiny: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3).

The same Jesus, who knew despair in the marrow of His bones, made this radically beautiful promise. The kingdom is His to give away, and He has chosen not to bar the door to those who struggle. Sister, do you realize what this means?

If you’re spiritually exhausted, Christ’s kingdom is for you. 
If you’re wrung out from worry, Christ’s kingdom is for you. 
If you’ve got a sadness you can’t shake, Christ’s kingdom is for you. 
If you’re in a season where you’re experiencing a poverty of soul instead of abundant joy, Christ’s kingdom is for you. 

What was true at the moment of salvation remains true until we see Jesus face to face. He never asks us to slap on a smile or spackle over our broken places. He takes us as we are and transforms us into the image of Himself. And lest, like me, you secretly fear He distances Himself from those who can’t get their act together, listen to His Word once again. 

For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: “I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.”
—Isaiah 57:15

Yes, He is a holy God who dwells in brilliant light (1Timothy 6:16). No one is shinier than Him. But He also dwells with us: dusty, discouraged, disillusioned us. Hear it again. Let this sink into your exhausted places: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3).

Written by Erin Davis