“Blessed,” (or ‘happy’), are the poor in spirit…” Matthew 5:3.
How can that be? Whatever does this all mean? “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Some words have been penned, many years ago, by a late Rev. Johnson Oatman. He was told the story of how Rev. Daniel Curry once dreamed that he had died and now stood before the Judgement.
You’ve probably never heard these words, in that they were written so long ago, but they are amazingly powerful, you will see-
because in the end, even if we have not much to show on earth, if we have a ‘Friend that sticks closer than a brother’, we see, that He will answer for me:
“Who will answer for me, when, life’s battles all past, I shall stand at the bar of the Judgement at last, When before me the Judge of all nations I see, In that terrible hour, who will answer for me?”
“Oh, how dark all my past, as from there I look back. Many sins and mistakes will count on my track, Scarce a single good deed on my record I see, And I cry in despair, “Who will answer for me?”
Justice there will I see with the scales in her hand, And I know I shall quake as upon them I stand; Weigh’d and found wanting” there, as no doubt I shall be In my weakness and fear; – Who will answer for me?”
“When the Judge shall at last call my name from the roll, And shall ask, “Who will answer for this guilty soul?” Then my Savior will turn with compassion t’ward me, And His sweet voice will say, I will answer for thee!”
Saviour, help me to walk close to thee day by day, When I hear thy commands may I trust and obey; While I live may I ever to thee faithful be, Then at last hear Thee say, “I will answer for Thee!” (Who will Answer for Me’ Rev. Johnson Oatman,Jr.)
So, perhaps your heart is heavy and filled with great sadness. Perhaps you no friend near in sight. Perhaps you feel dark and so lonely inside, let these true words bring in some light.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). “Blessed, (or happy) is the people whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12).
Pour out your sadness to the God Who hears. Pull up the Comforter of the Spirit as you draw and read His word. “Blessed, (or happy) is the man whose sins are forgiven.” This treasure of joy is found in Psalm 32 verse 1. Let the God of compassion rain down the warmth and forgiveness of His Son.
Jesus gave His life, so that we might have it today. So let us ‘humble ourselves before the Mighty God of heaven, that He might lift us up’ and give us joy and victory. And in that hour, we will will know the answer to the hard and dark question: “Who will answer for me?”
We can hear His voice, even today and rejoice, ‘When the Judge shall at last call my name from the roll, And shall ask, “Who will answer for this guilty soul? We will see our Savior turn with compassion, and hear His sweet voice speak, …
“I will answer for Thee!”
“Blessed, (or happy) are the poor in spirit”, this is true, (when we know that He is good and we are not). He is the One, and we believe and thank Him – for this is ‘the kingdom of heaven!’
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