Manna in the Morning

Jesus eighth Beatitude is a blessing on those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. The Message translates it this way, “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” Let’s face it...we haven’t known much about persecution in our personal experience with Christ. But it is a fact that there are places in our world where being a Christian is a dangerous commitment. We have a host of Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted seriously for their faith. We should pray for them to have the strength to endure and to be faithful to the end. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and said that “all who desire to live godly lives will be persecuted.” We may even encounter such persecution at some point in the future. We need to remember that there is a blessing when we are called upon to truly walk in Jesus’ footprints...footprints that may even lead through suffering and persecution for the sake of doing good.

Once again we turn to Jesus’ Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:9 He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be call sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9) I like the way Eugene Peterson translates that verse, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” This is a great challenge for each of us as we start this day. Our desire for each other should be that which makes for peace and harmony rather than dissension and disharmony. God calls us to be a peacemaker. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” I know, it’s a lot to ask but we have God’s promise that if we try...we affirm our relationship with Him.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8) The Message renders that verse in this way, “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” In other words, when we take the time at the beginning of the day to focus truly in our hearts on God...a single-minded kind of devotion...then we will be able to see God’s hand at work in people, things, and circumstances around us. The deists have it totally wrong. They say that God created the world and then went off and left it to run on its on without any further involvement from Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is very much involved in this world that He has created...and He is very much involved in our lives. All one needs to do is to experience the answer of one prayer...to know that God is active and powerful. When we truly focus our hearts attention on God in a way that is pure and unmixed...then we can see just how much He is at work. So, look for God today...you will not be disappointed!

We begin this day with another of Jesus Beatitudes. In Matt. 5:7 He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Peterson renders the verse in this way, “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” You will meet people today that will need your care...your heart will go out to some...others you will love in a quiet way and offer a silent prayer for. There is a contrast to this attitude that Jesus expresses with that of the world in which we live. The world does not place a premium on mercy...it encourages power and supremacy and control. But God calls us to care and to show mercy and love. We have God’s promise that as we care for others and show mercy that we will be cared for by His love. What a blessing to enjoy today!

Another of Jesus’ beatitudes says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Mt. 5:6) Listen to this same verse in the Message translation, “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” We all have our favorite dishes...we look forward to good meals...but the satisfaction is only temporary and physical. The nourishment that God wants us to hunger and thirst for is spiritual...a deeper relationship with Him. My prayer for you today is that you will be hungry for God. If you are, God makes the promise that He will satisfy you with the best nourishment. It may not be a “happy meal” but it will be a meal that will make you happy!

The second of Jesus’ beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount is, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Mt. 5:4) The Message renders the same passage, “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” We have the promise of Scripture that God will always be available to provide us comfort through His Spirit when we turn to Him and let Him enter into our lives. We may be overwhelmed with heartache...our lives may be put to a tough test...this day may even bring some tears...but remember God is ready to wipe them from your eyes...if you but let Him near. It’s been said that God is only a prayer away...that’s very close! So, today, let us claim this wonderful promise from the lips of Jesus that our grief...however deep...can be met by his precious comfort.

Jesus introduced His Sermon on the Mount with nine provocative statements that we have come to call the Beatitudes. What better way to begin the New Year than for us to consider well the way Jesus began His most famous message. The first beatitude according to the NIV rendering is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) Eugene Peterson’s Message renders it in this way, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” We need to remember that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. If today brings you to the end of your rope...hang on...God is there to bless your life as never before. We also need to remember that God wants the best for us...is ready to respond to our need...and desires for us to spend our eternity in heaven with Him.