Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit by A. E. HASSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1915

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

By A. E. HASSELL

A. E. HASSELL

WHY did Christ say, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” rather than, Blessed are the strong and courageous,—those who, it would seem, are well able to bear much? He had reason for his statement. The strong feel able to walk alone, and their very strength proves their weakness. God must set such aside unless they can get their eyes open, realize their own weakness, and learn of him. The poor, the weak, feel keenly their need, and must have some one to lean upon, some one to cast themselves upon with their whole weight and burdens. Then God, who delights in mercy, can come and revive the poor and the humble. He is their strength, and loves to be their strength. “To them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isa. 40:29. Therefore Paul could say, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” A plain contradiction, it would seem, but it is true in the life of him who is a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus.

Said Mary, “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Luke 1:49-53.

“He Delighteth in Mercy”

They that are whole need no physician. It was the self-sufficient, self-trusting Pharisees and scribes that stood aloof and found fault with Christ, that lost the blessings of heaven, which they so much needed; but in their pride they would not acknowledge their need. The poor, the needy, the helpless, the lame, the blind, the halt, the palsied, the lepers, the sinners,—the very outcasts,—received the blessings of heaven because they saw and felt their deep need and reached out for the blessing. It was the prodigal son, hungry, that came to himself and was welcomed to his father’s home.

It was David who saw the depth of his own sinfulness, humbled himself although king of Israel, and confessed and cried for mercy, that obtained it. For God “delighteth in mercy.” But the haughty Saul, who came only with miserable excuses and tried to cast the blame for his own misdeeds upon others, was finally left to himself, and lost kingdom, life, and all. The one, the Spirit of God could reprove and lead right again, and continue to lead, while the other refused correction, and God could do no more for him.

As God’s people and as individuals, the same paths lie before us, and we must choose which spirit shall control us. Shall we take to heart the many merciful reproofs that God has sent to us in his Word and by his servant, and humble ourselves, repent, rend the heart, confess and forsake our many sins and misdeeds, obtain mercy, and gain the kingdom and everlasting life? or shall we continue in hardness of heart, feel rich and be content with our attainments,—with what we are and do, or have done,—and in our blindness refuse to advance in faith and spirituality, satisfied that all is well while we have the outward form without the power? If we take the latter course, we can read our sad fate in that of Saul.

May God help us to heed the warning, “Be zealous therefore, and repent.” Each one of us must decide his own case. Let us not rest until we are sure that we have decided on the right side. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” “He delighteth in mercy.” Will you open to him? Will you remove the stumblingblocks that the Lord of mercy may come in?

Kent, Wash.