Blessed are the poor in spirit
(Thomas Brooks, “A Cabinet of Choice Jewels” 1669)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” that is–the broken and
humble in heart, who has no high thoughts or conceits of
himself–but is lowly in his own eyes, like a young child.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” that is–he who has no lofty
or puffed up spirit. The poor in spirit are those who are lowly,
being truly conscious of their own unworthiness. None are
poor in spirit–but the humble.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” that is–blessed are those
whose spirits are brought into such a humble gracious
frame, as willingly, quietly, and contentedly to lie down
in a poor low condition–when it is the pleasure of the
Lord to bring them into such a condition.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” that is–blessed are those
who are truly and sincerely sensible of their spiritual
needs, poverty, and misery. They see an utter inability
and insufficiency in themselves, and in all other creatures
–to deliver them out of their sinful and miserable estate.
They see nothing in themselves upon which they dare
venture their everlasting estates–and therefore fly to the
free, rich, sovereign, and glorious grace of God in Christ,
as to their sure and only sanctuary!
They see their need of God’s free grace to pardon them.
They see their need of Christ’s righteousness to clothe them.
They see their need of the Spirit of Christ to purge, change,
and sanctify them.
They see their need of more heavenly wisdom to counsel them.
They see their need of more . . .
of the power of God–to support them,
of the goodness of God–to supply them,
of the mercy of God–to comfort them,
of the presence of God–to refresh them,
of the patience of God–to bear with them, etc.
They see their need of greater measures of faith
–to conquer their fears.
They see their need of greater measures of wisdom–
to walk holily, harmlessly, blamelessly, and exemplary
in the midst of temptations, snares, and dangers.
They see their need of greater measures of patience
–to bear their burdens without fretting or fainting.
They see their need of greater measures of zeal
and courage–to bear up bravely against all sorts
of opposition, both from within and from without.
They see their need of greater measures of love
–to cleave to the Lamb, and to follow the Lamb
wherever He goes.
They see their need of living in a continual dependence
upon God and Christ–for fresh influences, incomes, and
supplies of grace, of comfort, of strength–by which they
may be enabled . . .
to live for God,
to walk with God,
to glorify God,
to bring forth fruit to God,
to withstand all temptations which
tend to lead the heart away from God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
