Reading With the People of God #11 Blessed预览

Focus of the month: (The Beatitudes)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

- Matthew 5:3-12

Reputation

“I AM that I AM” were the words God said about Himself to Moses from the burning bush. Words were all that were necessary; to create the universe, to demonstrate His power, to share His character. If anyone heard the miraculous stories we have been reading; the parting of seas, the conquering of cities and armies by mere confusion, that should be enough of a reputation to cause people to seek this amazing God of the Israelites. Being driven by the tangible and dazzle that we see with our physical eyes; the world was more in awe with the reputation of the splendor of King Solomon’s buildings than the miracles and devotion to the One True God. Solomon obtained the world audience, but did it bring others to believe? How sad that we haven’t changed much. God gifted Solomon (as He does with us) so much that it left people breathless to see what was done. Of course, there was a level of respect toward the Lord and His temple, but were these gifts used to bring God’s reputation to the forefront, or man’s? Did it mask the idolatry taking place not too far away?

Solomon had been given the task of building the edifices necessary to establish permanency in the kingdom. He made promises to God and His people about honoring God and not having idol worship among the people. Then he allowed idol worship in his own household. This history was well known to the people as Jesus continued His sermon on the Mount. In addressing empty promises, Jesus challenges the integrity of making your word mean something. By respecting God, Himself, anything that may represent God including our own bodies made in His image, we should not demean them with a complicated oath. By the time Christ was sharing these ideas, the children of Israel followed the law made by men more than the law of God. They strayed from understanding the nature and Holy reputation of God to allowing outside influences and dazzling promises to overshadow the truth, simple and straightforward. Christ points us back to a reverence for God and that a word spoken should have honor.

* Devotional primer contributed by Gaylyn Mott, Teacher, Musician, Yarn Artist, Member of Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla