The Fourth Blessing Devo

May 26th, 2019

Devotional

“The Fourth Blessing’” -

      Matthew 5:6

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Righteousness” - Matthew 5:6

  Sometimes we struggle with the idea of righteousness. We start to substitute in righteous for righteousness, which makes us think of people with are self-righteous. We probably all know folks who act a bit too sure of themselves, a bit too certain or like they are better than those around them. That is not what Jesus is talking about in this particular Beatitude. 

Jesus is not asking for folks to think highly of themselves or to act like they have everything all figured out. Instead, Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled. This is not about us.This is about seeking after the heart of God. Not so we look competent, but so that God is glorified. 

How can you live in a way that glorifies God?

Prayer: God, we thank you that you have given us the opportunity to know you and to grow closer to you. We are even more humbled, O God, that you let us be ambassadors for you and your Kingdom. May we be so close to you heart, Lord, that we cannot help but shine it forth to those we interact with. Amen.  

Tuesday: “Hunger and Thirst” - Matthew 5:6

Sometimes when you are tying on a computer, the computer tries to guess what you are going to say next. Sometimes it guess correctly, other times it does not. What I found interesting, however, in working on this week’s sermon is how many times the computer tried to change “craving” into “craven”.

Much like the difference between self-righteousness and righteousness, so there is a chasm between craving and craven. Craven isn’t a word we hear very much anymore, but its to act cowardly. Yet, how many times when we cave into what we are craving, we aren’t acting with courage. We aren’t seeking after the way of God. 

Sometimes we give into our cravings because it temporarily makes us feel good. Other times, we give in so we can follow the crowd. 

The questions that seem to be underlying this particular Beatitudes how badly do we want righteousness? Do we live our lives in such a way that we give into the cravings of this world, or instead do we deeply desire, yes even crave, the way of God? 

What would it look like to crave the way of God first and foremost in your life?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we do not crave you or your ways. We do not seek your righteousness. Instead, we cave into our own desires and put ourselves first, pushing you and your will to the side. Forgive us we pray, and set us back on the right path. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Soul Fainted” - Psalm 107:5-9

So what exactly does it look like to hunger and thirst after God? The Psalmist seems to capture a this into a particular image when he says that their soul fainted within them. 

Sometimes we will say that we are starving, as a matter of speech, but that isn’t what the Psalmist is talking about. He is talking about literally being so hungry that you can feel it deep within your body. Have you ever been so hungry that you could faint? Or so dehydrated that you feel uncomfortable? That is the type of hunger that the psalmist is referring to. 

When we desire God out of that deepest place in our souls, when we yearn for God with this type of vigor, we will find God. God will satisfy us, in the way that Jesus talks about in the Beatitudes, filling us with what we need most - the love of God. 

What are some of the spiritual practices you engage in to grow closer to the heart of God?

Prayer: Lord, let our souls faint for you. Let us desire you more than we desire anyone or anything else, O Lord. Fill us up, O Lord, so that the cup of our spirit overflows with your goodness and grace. Amen. 

Thursday: “Meditate” - Psalm 1

  We are made for relationship with God. In fact, our relationship to God is the most important relationship we have. Yet, sometimes we act as if God is the least important relationship in our life, putting off the work of the spiritual life until we have more time. Or we run to God when circumstances are trying, but turn back to our old habits and schedules when things are going well. This isn’t living from the center of a healthy soul, brothers and sisters. And as a result our spiritual lives become more focused on knowing about God, instead of really knowing God personally. Spiritual practices are tools to help us connect to this first and primary relationship with God, cultivating it. No one else can do the hard work of cultivating your soul for you. No one else can practice spiritual disciplines for you. Its up to you - and flows from the importance you place on your relationship with God. 

Today’s Psalm speaks of one of these spiritual practices - meditation. “Happy are those who...delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night.” Meditation is one of those words that has gotten a bad reputation over the year. For some of us we may think of other religious practices when we hear chanting, and become uncomfortable, others may think of those who seem to space out of society. Still others may claim that meditation is only for those who have lots of time to fill. But at its very core, Christians believe that meditation is gaze deeply into God’s word and reflect upon God’s works. Meditation allows us to give God our undivided attention so we can more fully know about God’s nature and see God’s heart for us. 

  What are some of the ways that you spend time with God?

Prayer: Lord, we want to be deeply connected to you. We want to be tethered to you in a way that cannot be broken. Commune with us, we pray. Amen.

Friday: “Seek Ye First” - Matthew 6: 25-33

  One of the first hymns that I remember learning in youth choir was “Seek Ye First”, which is rooted in today’s scripture lesson. Of course, we cannot seek first the Kingdom of God until we have examined our heart and our priorities.

Jesus does this by essentially asking what are you worried about and are you worried about those particular things? He knew that those things we worried about often can distract us from the Kingdom of God because they are where our heart truly lies. We worry about them because we care about them. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - unless it becomes a stumbling block in seeking the Kingdom of God. 

How can you seek first the Kingdom of God in your daily life??

Prayer: Lord, sometimes our worries consume us. Sometimes we are so worried that we cannot focus on you. Let us look to you, O Lord, to meet our needs so that we can put our energy and desire into seeking you and your Kingdom first. Amen.