Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
This is our last day on New Covenant Sacrifices. Today’s focus is attitude. Everyone appreciates a good attitude. No one likes a bad one. Today’s passage speaks of a broken and contrite heart. Jesus speaks of a similar attitude. He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
What is to be poor in spirit? It’s not arrogance. Proverbs 6:17 says that God hates a haughty look. We are to go to The Lord in humility. Almost as if we walk to Him cautiously with head bowed. The humble one understands God’s greatness and our depravity. The arrogant one is self absorbed: unaware of others, particularly God.
To be poor in spirit is to see oneself (and God) accurately. As mentioned, the humble one sees his depravity. We have made mistakes that need repair. We struggle in areas which require God’s (and others) help. We are a house that’s in need of repair. We all are in need of forgiveness and assistance. To be poor in spirit is to see that need and go to God. The arrogant one is blind to it (1 John 1:8).
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” God wants us to go to Him for comfort and help. In doing so we receive His forgiveness and assistance. We develop the Father/child relationship. Going to Him becomes a joy. Because He is light, we see ourselves more fully. It’s not depressing, because He gives hope.
To be poor in spirit is to be our continual sacrifice. We don’t get over it. We will always be in need of The Lord and He wants us to always go to Him. To accept that, one becomes rich. Jesus says the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven. That’s in the future, as well as God’s blessings in the present. Going to Him daily fills us with the joy of His presence.
Lord, thank You that You take us as we are. Help us to ever go to You