Blessing is Being Filled

by Heather Tietz

[Jesus said] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:3-6

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, the forefathers of our faith were blessed with wealth. They all credited God with giving them extensive land, livestock, precious treasures, and children. It makes sense that wealth was looked at as a sign of God’s pleasure with someone, a reward for a righteous life. That’s why when Jesus began this sermon it was shocking.

Jesus calls, not the wealthy, but those empty and eager for God’s presence, blessed. Not the shrewd businessman, but the gentle servant, not the one filled with treasure, but the one who’s lost something precious, the humble, not just the God-fearing, but the God-needing, these, He says, are happy in God. These are blessed. Why?

Perhaps it is simply a matter of space. Not all, and not always, but many times those without need, have no need to call on God, no reminder to pray, no pull on their heart to plead in His presence. But those who are lacking, those with a space, those with need, have a constant poking at their spirit to talk with God.

Those that ask, receive. Those that ask, see the hand of God working in their lives. Those that ask see miracles. They watch blessings fill where there was emptiness before. Where they have a lack, God pours Himself in. That is blessing.