by Pastor Joel Lawler

Jesus sat down on a hill and began to teach the crowds a lesson that was very unusual and unique. His words were contrary to what was the social norm. Not only was this the case in the time in which he taught this but it is also true today.

Matthew 5 - The Message Paraphrase 'You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

Jesus always seems to turn conventional wisdom on its head. You are blessed when you are at the end of your rope? The New International Version of this passage says Blessed are the poor in Spirit. Only in the eyes of heaven is someone in need blessed because in God's kingdom there is no lack or shortage for those in need. When we realize that we are at the end of our rope and approach God with humility, He will supply our need. The less we have of ourselves the more room there is for God.

It is easy to look at someone who has a lot of wealth and or is successful and see them as blessed. The person driving the $40k car seems more than blessed. Wealth, notoriety, achievement and prestige are seen as blessings and those who possess them are granted a higher value.

Humility comes from knowing our position and knowing that we are created by God and that all we have and everything that we are, are from Him alone. Humility is also the result of us realizing that apart from God, we are helpless.

Proverbs 3:34 says that God mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

It does not take a real smart person to realize how small he is compared to God. Go stand on the beach and look at the ocean. It is very humbling to realize that God created it. Take a look at the stars in the sky on a clear night. It will make you feel very small. Hold a child in your arms. See how perfect their little hands and feet are. God created them.

Humility is simply being awakened to who you are compared to who God is.

I get it wrong more than I get it right. I make a lot of mistakes. It is not real difficult to find my shortcomings. Some of you have even taken the time to write and point out a few and I have truly enjoyed the dialogue. Some of you have even questioned whether I know God at all. All I can say is that I am a living breathing example of God's amazing grace.

I know what it means to be at the end of my rope and cry out to God. I have to do this far more than I would like to admit. I take great joy in the first beatitude [this is what the first verses in Matthew are called]. It is God's grace where I find my salvation. I can do nothing to earn it. Everything that I am and have done is worthless compared to His goodness. He chooses to love you and me unconditionally and without limit. He calls us His children and when we fall He picks us up, kisses us on the head and sets us on our feet again. He guarantees it.

This is what He means when he says we are blessed when we are at the end of our rope.
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