Blessed—Happy—Are Righteousness-Seekers

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).

The fourth Beatitude sets a high goal for us. “We are blessed, and will consequently be filled, if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.” It is like Jesus was saying: What do you seek? Is it wealth? That can fail, be stolen, get lost in a failed economy. Do you seek adulation, notice, recognition? These are the basis of pride, and “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Therefore, Jesus pleads, ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness.’

If we have ever truly been hungry and thirsty of body, then we relate those needs to how diligently we should seek for righteousness—goodness and Christian principles in their deepest sense, the guides Jesus gave us to live by. Let your pursuit of them be as a gnawing hunger that can only be satisfied by eating what is good and nourishing. And for the spiritual life, the Word of God, the Bible, should be that soul-hunger we seek to satisfy by studying, absorbing, and living by it. Let your pursuit of righteousness be as an unquenchable thirst that can only be satisfied by drinking deeply of the Water of Life. Do you have a time each day to satisfy these soul-hungers, soul-thirsts? You first must recognize a need for them—develop a hunger and thirst for them—and then go to the Fountain which alone can provide the Water of Life and the Bread of Life. As with a regular meal, set aside a time to eat and drink from the Word. And Jesus Himself told us He is each of these, Water and Bread, to us. “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). By these words Jesus gave us the example of how we can defeat the devil’s temptations.

In The Disciples’ Study Bible (Holman, 1988) which I often use for my daily Bible studies, Clair M. Crissy who wrote the studies on Matthew states: “The quest to be right, what God wants us to be, can be like a powerful hunger or thirst. People who long so intensely after what is right will have their hunger satisfied and their thirst quenched.” In one of my husband’s pastorates, we had a very strong group in our youth department. It was my joy and privilege to be their director, both in Bible studies and in musical training. We had some marvelous retreats, life-changing, I might say, for the youth themselves and for me, one of their leaders (Other capable adults assisted with teaching and being role models for the youth). God took hold of that group and gave them a hunger and thirst for righteous living and seeking God’s will. Today, members of that group are in mission work, the pastorate, church-related vocations, and lay ministries that bespeak their seeking after and finding the righteousness of God.

In Jesus day, as it is today in third-world countries, hunger was and is a very present and prevalent problem. We in most congregations today are too well-fed and must handle over-feeding with weight-reduction programs and denial of our over-indulgence in foods. But to hunger when one is starving and the food is not available is the type of hunger Jesus meant when he gave the fourth beatitude. Sir Norman Birkett, famous lawyer and judge, got close to the meaning of this beatitude when he said that there is something inextinguishable in every person for goodness. And St. Augustine said it this way: “Man is restless until he finds his rest in God.” And that inimitable Bible teacher, Dr. William Barclay, wrote: “The true wonder of man is not that he is a sinner, but that even in his sin he is haunted by goodness, that even in the mud he can never wholly forget the stars” (Daily Study Bible: Matthew, Westminster, 1956, p. 96). Yes! Hungering and thirsting after God’s righteousness is from deep within each soul, that part of us made in the image of God. Eugene Peterson stated Matthew 5:6 this way: "You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” (The Message, NavPress, 2002, p. 1335.)

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, September 16, 2010

Blessed—Happy—Are the Meek

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV)

Jesus was using Psalm 37:11 for the idea in this third Beatitude: “But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Jesus wanted His disciples (and us) to learn that meekness—the quality of being submissive, gentle, patient and longsuffering—will prove a greater asset than pride. Meekness carries with it the idea of strength under control. Think of a powerful stallion with all its strength that has been trained to do his master’s bidding. The strength and potential are there; they have been brought under control. Without humility and meekness, one cannot learn, for the student must first realize that he does not know it all and therefore becomes “teachable.”

And what about the meek, subservient person inheriting the earth? Is this a paradox—a seeming contradiction—that the meek can inherit the earth? Meekness is a greater power than pride. The Jews were very proud of their race and heritage, the Romans of their military might and imperialism, the Greeks of their culture and learning. On the other hand, the meek, subservient person is often thought of as weak. How can such a person “inherit the earth”? Jesus had reference to the “new heaven and the new earth” spoken of in Revelation 21:1 and in 2 Peter 3:13. For the person who with meekness has a right relationship with God and is God-controlled, he can handle the things of this earth and look forward to an eternal dwelling with God. Theologian William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible (Westminster, 1956, p. 93) says this Beatitude in its fullest Greek meaning and translation must read: “O the bliss of the man who is always angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time; who has every instinct and impulse and passion under control because he himself is God-controlled; who has the humility to realize his own ignorance and his own weakness, for such a man is a king among men!” And Rev. J. R. Dummelow in his commentary on the verse states: “A meek man is not one who is easily provoked or irritated, and is forbearing under injury or annoyance” (Commentary on the Whole Bible, Macmillan, 1958, p. 640). Meekness is not weakness but shows that the Christian has taken on a characteristic of inner strength and submission that Jesus Himself modeled in His life and taught us to emulate. “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he who rules his spirit than he that takes a city” (Proverbs 16;32, NKJV). The meek person trusts in God, and has his life under God’s control.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Is there a right and wrong pride?

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19, KJV)

Perhaps you, as I, memorized Proverbs 16:18 when you were young. I was taught by good Sunday School teachers and by my parents not to be filled with pride. I was taught that pride means conceit, an inordinate good opinion of oneself, showing ostentation or a spirit of haughtiness.

But then I was told, “Take pride in what you do.” How then could I justify the two, for I had learned that pride brings about self-destruction. How then could I take pride (reasonable or justifiable self-respect for what I had accomplished) in what I did, and not expect the downfall as described in Proverbs 16:18?

I came to the conclusion that there are two kinds of pride. The one to guard against is being showy and ostentatious about what you do or have. This kind of pride is obnoxious to those about you and will certainly lead to character defamation of the one who has this destructive type of pride. On the other hand, when we take pride (delight in or have self-respect for) a job well done, and still keep our spirit humble, this type of self-motivation can be very beneficial.

The wrong kind of pride is the opposite of humility. It means being puffed up, haughty, showy. The right kind of pride is a deep desire to do well. Couple this with accepting and acting upon the grace of God working through your life and you are on the right track. Solomon spoke to this right attitude about the pride that motivates in Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” If we commit our work to the Lord, then He brings it to fruition. We then will want to praise God for what He has done and know that we would not have achieved goals without His direction. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6). Our pride is in God and what He can do through us, not in ourselves and our achievements.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, July 15, 2010

“Better Than” Conditions

“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices and strife.” (Proverbs 15:16-17; 16:8, 19; 17:1. KJV)

Proverbs is very good at teaching us contrasts. The “Better than” verses cited for today are a good example of choosing the better way.

Take wealth: little is better than much with humility and gratitude, and earned honestly, than much secured dishonestly and in shady dealings. Add to that the fear of the Lord, for it is He who gives us incentive to work and earn in honorable ways.

Take everyday living, like the meals we enjoy. A dinner of vegetables served up with a good helping of love and harmony in the home is better than the best cuts of beef eaten amidst strife and disharmony. Or even a dry morsel, eaten with thanksgiving and quietness, than a whole houseful of such fare as might be offered as sacrifices to idols. That’s something to think about, because we don’t necessarily think of making sacrifices to idols nowadays. But the inclination is there for worship and sacrifice, and what we worship shapes who and what we are. We can even worship wealth. And how we pursue it, consider it, and use it all reflect our relationship (or lack of) with God. “Better to be “of an humble spirit” that to be filled with pride.

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (16:8). Ill-gotten gain harms those who get wealth dishonestly. Dishonesty in work and service also causes harm to the employer, business, or entity providing employment, as well as to the employee who does not give a full day’s work for his wages, or who finds a way to siphon off benefits without accountability. Rewards and wealth should not become our major concern in life. To choose “the better way” is the only way to operate, and the only way to find peace and happiness. Then, eating a meal or lying down at night, the person can rest in peace, at harmony with God and how “the better way” has been practiced. “The better way,”—God’s way—is richer than silver or gold.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Dealing with Envy and Pride

(Theme: Selections from the Psalms—Faith Set to Music)

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence…But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds.” –Psalm 73:1-3, 5, 28 (NIV. Read Psalm 73).

Continuing with the Wisdom Psalms, 73 has a stated author: “A psalm of Asaph” the note at the beginning in most translations reads. The name itself means “Yahweh made.” One Asaph lived in the time of King Hezekiah and had to relate the threats of the King of Assyria to the Hebrew king. But in the temple, Asaph was responsible for sounding the cymbal for gathering to worship. Songs, psalms and hymns were delivered to this temple official so that the people could join in singing. The Psalms that have the notation, “A Song of Asaph” are 50, 73 and 83. The title may refer to a special collections of psalms, the author of said psalms, or to the singers themselves who used the psalms in worship. At any rate, “Yahweh made,” the meaning of his (or their) name is significant, for “Yahweh made” the psalm as the Spirit of God breathed upon the person, whoever wrote this wisdom psalm. Who among us has not wondered, like the psalmist, why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer?

This psalm deals with heavy life issues, envy and pride, The psalm also teaches us that it is all right to go to God with our weighty questions. Learning to depend on God, to go to Him regardless of our emotional framework or our questions about life, we know that answers come from Him. We may not see the answers in a mighty revelation, but in a quiet solitude and drawing close to Him, we can know His presence and His strength. What others have and do then pale to insignificance in the light of God’s grace and glory. “I have no one in heaven but You; I want nothing on earth besides You. My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever” (Ps. 73-25-26, NCV). To envy the situation of others brings only bitterness. In a well-known proverb Solomon declared, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18, KJV).

The important truth to remember is that God is with the godly, seeking person, to comfort and guide. “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:24, KJV). May we allow these comforting words to guide away from untoward doubts and to focus our hope upon God, where our help lies!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, May 23, 2010

Dealing with Envy and Pride

(Theme: Selections from the Psalms—Faith Set to Music)

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence…But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds.” –Psalm 73:1-3, 5, 28 (NIV. Read Psalm 73).

Continuing with the Wisdom Psalms, 73 has a stated author: “A psalm of Asaph” the note at the beginning in most translations reads. The name itself means “Yahweh made.” One Asaph lived in the time of King Hezekiah and had to relate the threats of the King of Assyria to the Hebrew king. But in the temple, Asaph was responsible for sounding the cymbal for gathering to worship. Songs, psalms and hymns were delivered to this temple official so that the people could join in singing. The Psalms that have the notation, “A Song of Asaph” are 50, 73 and 83. The title may refer to a special collections of psalms, the author of said psalms, or to the singers themselves who used the psalms in worship. At any rate, “Yahweh made,” the meaning of his (or their) name is significant, for “Yahweh made” the psalm as the Spirit of God breathed upon the person, whoever wrote this wisdom psalm. Who among us has not wondered, like the psalmist, why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer?

This psalm deals with heavy life issues, envy and pride, The psalm also teaches us that it is all right to go to God with our weighty questions. Learning to depend on God, to go to Him regardless of our emotional framework or our questions about life, we know that answers come from Him. We may not see the answers in a mighty revelation, but in a quiet solitude and drawing close to Him, we can know His presence and His strength. What others have and do then pale to insignificance in the light of God’s grace and glory. “I have no one in heaven but You; I want nothing on earth besides You. My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever” (Ps. 73-25-26, NCV). To envy the situation of others brings only bitterness. In a well-known proverb Solomon declared, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18, KJV).

The important truth to remember is that God is with the godly, seeking person, to comfort and guide. “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:24, KJV). May we allow these comforting words to guide away from untoward doubts and to focus our hope upon God, where our help lies!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, May 23, 2010