“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

If we look to the Aramaic language, the word poor, refers to “ptochos” which describes absolute poverty. The person has nothing; no influence, no power, no earthly resources to depend on.

There are many ways to look at this verse; but I think it means that we need to realize on our own we are helpless. We need to put our whole trust in God, there is nothing else. We realize that God alone can fill all of our needs, and we become less attached to the material things, because they can be taken way. God will never leave us or forsake us; He is always right beside us. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

When I was on my Internship many years ago, I had just returned home from a youth gathering. I had only been at my church for about a month. When I got to my apartment there was a note for me to call my Pastor right away. I thought that was a bit unusual, but I called anyways and he was not at home. So I decided to call my Mom and Dad to tell them about my first big youth event. My sister answered the phone and immediately I knew that something was wrong. My eyes welled up with tears because I knew that my sister was supposed to be away at camp. Something was terribly wrong for her to be at home. I asked what was going on and she soon realized that I had not talked to my Pastor. I was almost hysterical because in my heart I knew something wasn’t right and I was afraid of what I might hear. My fears were confirmed as my sister shared with me that our best friend’s Dad had been killed in a plane accident. We had spent many fun-filled hours with our friend’s family and we loved being around her Dad. I was in shock and I was all alone in my apartment and in a place where I hardly knew anyone. The Pastor knocked on my door as I was on the phone and I told my family that I would call them back after I talked to him. He was very kind but he really did not know me that well and he certainly did not know my friend’s family.

I was distraught and so I proceeded to call family and friends, until I knew that I would not be able to afford my phone bill. This was long before cell-phones and free minutes. My heart was filled with grief and an anxiousness that would not go away. I finally cried myself to sleep.

I awoke at 3:00 a.m. and I had never felt so alone. I knew that I could call home if I had too but the reality of the cost and knowing that I could not constantly be on the phone sunk in. I knelt beside my bed and I cried out in anguish to God. I asked Him to fill me with His peace. I felt His presence and I began to read my Bible. Suddenly, I knew that I wasn’t really alone, that God had been there all along waiting for me to give my burden to Him. I discovered Psalm 62:1 that night, “My soul finds rest in God alone.”

God blesses us with the precious gift of our family and friends. But the truth, my friends, is that we can only find our peace in Him. I pray that you will find rest and peace in our Savior’s loving arms.