March 14: Matthew 5 3-10
Key Verse: Matthew 5 5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Devotion:
Over the years of reading these verses I think I have imagined myself to be in different places at different times in my life; but being meek is a little hard at times! We are not just called to be believers but to also reflect the different aspects of our awesome Saviour – and these verses do describe most aspects of Christ which we can hope to attain in our lives. We cannot be pure and holy as He is, but we can hope to be in a position where we can receive His blessings more often!
If we are willing to change our lives a bit each day and listen to what God would like in our lives, we will not just see ourselves drawing closer to Him but also see the blessings He sends our way. It may not seem like it at times when we fall into the category of the ‘persecuted’ people, but through everything in our lives we can always see the blessings. Yesterday in our staff meeting we had to write down a few reasons to be cheerful – and as the suggestions went round the room, it was clear we all had different things to be cheerful for! What an awesome God we serve!
When we fall short of the perfect life we probably wish we could have, God is standing by ready to give us the blessings we deserve. If we are going to do nothing but complain about our circumstances, then our blessings are going to fall very short of the ones we want in our lives. But when we lower our focus and accept our circumstances, we can then see more of the blessings we do receive and be more cheerful we do have something!
God does not want us to be inward focused but to be outward looking. If we are too inward focused, we will not see the world God has given for us and certainly not notice the blessings which come our way. It is not always about looking for the blessing you can get out of life or from God but also the blessing you can be to others around you. When we someone who is in need, we should be trying to fulfil their need in some way – this is what Jesus would do!
Points to Ponder:
Do you look out for your own blessings?
Do you help to bless others around you?
