Poor in Spirit

To be “poor in spirit” is not a phrase we hear often.  In a culture that encourages and rewards self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-promotion, it seems like a bit of a mystery to think of a person who is poor in spirit as one who is blessed.  To be poor in spirit does not mean to be meek, shy or introverted.  It has nothing to do with finances.  It is not the act of covering a proud heart with false humility.  To be poor in spirit means that your spirit is humbled and utterly broken before the Lord.  It means both recognizing and acknowledging your total depravity in the presence of God.  Romans 3:10 says, “as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one.”

The root word for “poor” in the Greek is “ptochos” which means absolute, abject poverty.  The root word of “ptochos” is “ptosso” which means to crouch or cower.  This is not the kind of poverty where you eke by and are scraping along.  This is “begging poor,” the kind of poverty where you have no power or resources to help yourself in any capacity.  You are completely reliant on the grace and mercy of someone else for your very life.  While these definitions describe financial poverty, Jesus teaches that to be truly blessed, our spirits must be broken and humble before Him. 

As we begin to understand what He is requiring of us, we may wonder, “But if I’m that broken and humbled all the time, wouldn’t I be sad and depressed?  How can I be blessed in that state of mind?”  The reason why we struggle with this is because of the ongoing battle of the flesh in our minds and hearts.  The world insists that “if you work hard, you will get ahead,” “you don’t get something for nothing,” and “practice makes perfect.”  These messages are so ingrained in us that we forget that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment,” (Isaiah 64:6) and that apart from Him we “can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The truth is, no matter how much we strive, apart from Jesus we will never attain the kind of perfection required to be in the presence of our holy God.  In our fallen nature, we are completely incapable of saving ourselves.  Spiritually speaking, we are “begging poor.”  When we truly wrap our heads around this truth and accept it and cry out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner,”(Luke 18:13) we begin to understand the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf and the grace offered to us if we simply accept His gift.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  Our sins, past, present, and future, have been covered by His blood.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) 

We are so undeserving of His love and grace, and yet He lavishes it upon us!  This is where we begin to experience joy and blessing.  We can draw on His promises.  

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)  

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)  

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)  

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)  

“…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

I can think of no greater joy than to be reminded that while I was stuck in my sin and before I even acknowledged Him, Jesus died for me. By accepting His sacrifice on my behalf, I am considered righteous before God the Father.  All of my sins have been forgiven.  I can approach Him with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and rest in His promises.

How truly blessed are the poor in spirit!