For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15.
What is to be poor in the spirit and who is the poor in the spirit? It is to be God’s sufficiency and God’s dependent at all times and in all things, without reliance on man or trust own strenght or anything other than God – Israel thou hast destroy thyself, but in me is thine help. It is the knowledge to admit that your competency, capacity, sustainability, accomplishments, stability and suitability in life originated and shall always be fulfiled in God. Hosea 13: 9.
Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines, and God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims. And king Uzziah made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, it appertained not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26: 1-20.
The poor in spirit will not aspire to opertate outside the perimeters of his calling or office of administration in the Lord. It is a sign of the arrogant and self – ambitious man to go after vain glory, seeking great things for himself, without an open door from the Lord. The poor in the spirit will not act to make themsleves rich on earth by any ungodly means. They are not in haste against God’s time that they should compromise to make things to happen as David refused to kill King Saul when he got the chances to get rid of him and to ascend the throne: Lord, says David, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.’ Psalms.131:1.
The poor in the spirit is the true child of God who has been delivered from the snare of high self-esteemed, self- exaltation and self-praises or self-sufficiency, surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Psalms 62:9. The poor in the spirit is always conscious of his incompetence, that he knows but in part, as the base thing of the world, but chosen to confound the mighty things of this world, confesses to the competency of Christ in him: acknowledges his spiritual short-sightedness, and never cease to learn to grow daily until the end…..if any man thinks he knows something, he knows nothing, as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2.
The poor in spirit knows that he is compassed around with infirmities, so he ponder on his paths, but inwardly, he rejoices in the consolation of the in- comparable greatness, might and strength of him that lives in him for grace and help to over any temptation. He is like the tree planted by the rivers of water to absorb water for its freshness and growth. He is ever searching the scriptures, while grateful for the light of the Lord’s enlightement day by day as the true light that shines every man that comes into the world….mine eyes prevent the night watches that I might meditate in thy word. Psalms 119: 148.
The poor in the spirit is a different man from the spiritually arrogant man who is delusional and complacent like the Laodicea church… because thou say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knows not that thou art wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked. This is a self-conceited congragation entertaining a flattery opinion of themselves with an exaggerated sense of self-importance and absurd declaration of independent from God, saying, I have need of nothing, as if the life of man consist only in the abundance of the things which he possesses: labour not for the meat that perish, but for that food which endures till eternal life, which the son of man shall give unto you; for in him God the Father has placed his seal of approval: but her spiritual emptiness, awating destruction, but her spiritual poverty and blindness and nakedness are exposed by the Lord for her to repent and change. Revelation 3: 17-18.
Believer should stay clear away from falling into the same condemnation of Devil which is pride in whatever situation or season of life. Rich or poor, good or bad situation, weak or strong, stay humbled. The challenges, problems and difficulties of life should drag us to our knees before God and draw us closer to his throne like the poor widow with her importune requenst from the king until her case judged by the king, and she was satisfied. None should complain against God in the days of adversity, to harden in pride of a self righteouss man; to protest or threathens to continue to serve or walk after the Lord as they faint in the days of adversity.
Believer should be thankful for his salvation and fellowship with God. He should never walk after the example of the ungrateful, arrogant, ignorant, rebellious, foolish, forgetful and faithless Israelis in the wilderness on the way to the Canaan to prefer the past difficult slavery life at Egypt against the momentary and little challenges they need to overcome: and they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came into the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: and the children of Israel said unto them, would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Exodus 16:1-3.
The poor in the spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven (a) nothing nor anyoone can embarrass him, nor do anything so great as to caught him unawared to stop serving his God, day and night. He only sees the hands and permission God in all things; he’s not ashamed to bear any reproach, his heart is fixed for anything, life or death, without any doubt nor questioning the Sovereignty of God who rules over all: (b) the word of God has taken over of his persoanlity, rules his thoughts, emotions and actions, that the trial of his faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. While he lives, it is for Christ, and if he dies, it is his gain. His eyes are ever toward the Lord, and his feet shall be plucked out of the net. Psalms 25:15.
When I am awake, I am still with you. This is the daily joy and confession of the poor in the spirit; nothing gives him satisfaction more than his union with Christ: satisfied and happy to build on his relationship, growth and experiences, serving with reverence and godly fear. Psalms 139:18.
Those who have died to themselves will not kill or take away their own life in the Lord. You don’t get to heaven by commiting suicide. Those who commit suicide are cowards, no heaven for the cowards. The poor in the spirit cannot be frustrated by Satan as he can frustrate the carnal, hardened and unbroken believer, persuading them to backslide into the pleasure of sin and lusts of the world: or worst still, instil or program suicidal thoughts and actions to end his life before the eyes of the world. Note: suicidal spirit is demonic spirit working to destroy the loosers, the shameful arrogant, the hopeless and faithless men in the world: it is spirit of death from the pit of hell.
The poor in spirit is not presumptive, but be led always by the spirit of God. However great are his past experiences in the Lord, he will not boast of them, or take any of thsoe things for granted to lean on his own understanding than to rely constantly on the Lord in every steps of the way. He gains wisdom from his past failures, to build a strong, present and future relationship with the Lord, that he might finish very well.
Arrogance is the evil state of the heart. In his love and Fatherly care, God will not grant us, nor give us anything that shall cause arrogant in us or bring pride to us: he will not hesitate to take anything away that has begotten pride in us, for all his works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Daniel 4: 37.
Material and financial blessings are good, if we can handle them with carefulness in humbleness of heart: it is better to be poor in the spirit (humble) than to be filled with the goods of this world with pride in the heart and life style that leads or brings men to destruction….but Jeshurum waxed fat, and kicked; thou art grown thick, and thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed (by despising the poor) the Rock of his salvation. Deuteronomy 32:15.
It is a good thing if you are been blessed and rich with the goods of this world, but not be high minded (proud) nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God which gives us all things freely to enjoy: doing good, rich in good works, ready to distribute, generous and open handed, willing to communicate; laying up in store for yourself a good foundation against the time to come, laying hold of eternal life. 1Tim.6: 17-19.
God make rich and he make poor. It is better to be financially poor (and what shall one then answer the messangers of the nations? That the Lord has founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. Isaiah 14:32) and poor in the spirit (humble) and walk alone, than to keep company with the rich proud: mind not high things, but condescend (bring yourself down, keep company or walk with the humble) to men of low estate. Romans 12:16.
I’ve seen and heard of difffrent associations and groups name of men and women in the world and church, but, never have I heard anything about the group and association of the humble people in any church and in the world: whereas, the scripture is clear that it is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud, which means that you should keep company, do the walking to live an humble life in the company of the humble or men who are lowly in spirit. Proverbs 16:19.
The humility of the uncircumzed in heart is false, for there’s always something to show up for his pride, its all about him. If the Spirit of Christ is not residing in a mortal man, how can he be humbled before God? What or who shall empower him to be or act likewise? Even, if a believer is not conscious to cultivate and grow in the fruit of the spirit to walk constantly in humility, will be guilty of pride.
Humilty is one of the new garment the elects are to to put on…..put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering (Colossians 3:12), but the carnal believer and the unsaved men of the worldly get angry, never felt loved nor been appreciated, if they are not applauded when they appears flamboyant, colourful, cocky, showy, fanciful, attention seeking, prideful, immodest, and stylishly swollen-headed.
The fruit of humility cultivate by the spirit of God reveals the true transformation in the life of a believer in any state or season of life, always with the mind of Christ, in the form of a servant, in any situation or circumstance. The humble man never puffed up like a fool when he is filled with bread, not like the obnoxious woman when she is married, for such people, the earth cannot bear. Proverbs 30: 21-23.
When the carnal man or the man of world want to show his secret and hidden arrogance in his long expecatation towards men’s appreciation for the recognition of his accomplishments, he assert being humbled for the honour given to him. His satisfaction for recognition of his work from others is the expression of his hypocritical humility before God and others.
Before the applauses and recognition given him, what has he been? Angry and unhappy man for going unnoticed for a long period of time? Such is the false confession of humility, when indeed was inwardly elated and proud for the attraction, admiration, praises and recognition he earned for his work.
To glory or become proud because of any outward gifting, possession, inheritance or ability is out of question before God: it is an iniquity to be punished by him. It is an abomination for a child of God or any of the wise of this world to glory or rejoice in their wisdom, nor for the prudent to glory in their knowledge, nor the strong to boast in their might, and the rich in their wealth: thus says the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understand and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9: 22-24.
Christ must increase and i must decrease. This is the mantra of a true humble man knows that it is God who is at work in him, so he will not fail to express the source of his wisdom, might, riches or whatever success to give all glory due unto God to him against flattering and dangerous praises of men. Are we not a treasure hidden in an earthen vessels, should not the excellency of the power and the praises thereof be of God and not of man? 2 Corinthians 4:7. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17: 7-10.
God made the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of his eternal kingdom. It is better to be poor in the spirit, poor concerning the goods of this world, but rich in faith, than to have all the riches and wealth of this world, but living without Christ in the world – let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted; but the rich, in that he is made low, because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. James. 1: 9-10.
The poor humble believer in spirit will not fail to acknowledge his unworthiness and admittance into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ in the kingdom. Never arrogant for his salvation, but solemnly contemplating on the riches of God’s wisdom and mercy to be part of the branch of the tree in the vine, praying daily for his Jewish brethren, the natural branches, that they may be saved through faith in Christ Jesus, – and if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakes of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, and that I might be grafted in. well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.…..for as ye (Gentiles) in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their (Jews) unbelief. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them (Jews and Gentiles) all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgment and his way past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him that it should be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 15: 9-10. Ephessians.1: 6. Romans 11:17-21: 30-36.
I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happened to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11.
Nothing is sure and garantee, if it is not insured by the blood of the everlasting covenanant. As for riches, wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5. The humble poor man in spirit will not boast of how he has planned and ordered his life for a better future (in the mouth of the foolish is the rod of pride; the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Proverbs 14:3) or how he was so sure that everything would work out perfectly for him at the end without acknowledging that it is God who performeth that which is appointed for him: and many such things are with him. Job 23:14.
Whether they are earthly upliftment or promotion, sucess and achievements of any kind, these doesn’t changes anything from the perception, life and conducts of the poor humble man in the spirit: he will not be conceited, insolent to others and rebellious to God who promotes and gives power to prosper. It was the error of the foolish rich man in his self- rejoicing, self-boasting, self- reassurance and future boasting in his six personalized and proclamations of ‘I’ and ‘ME’ of his might, greatness and future ambition without divine assurance, for his life was abruptly cut off by the Lord for the sins (boastings) of his mouth, the wrong goals and priority he has set for himself in life without God. Luke 12: 13-21.
The poor humble man in the spirit sees himself as nothing, though with all the titles, names, honours and dignities of the mighty among the men of the world, he is consciousness that God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. The poor humble man in the spirit will overcome any false perception, opinion, admiration, praises or condemnation, rejection or acceptance of himself. There is no self advertisement, though someone else may prais them, but not his own mouth: if any man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing he deceives himself: and if any man think he is wise, let him become a fool, that he might be wise. Galatians 6:3.
Christ came humbly into the world, lived and departed humbly from the world, but will come back with great glory and power and with great pomp in the company of his countless holy angels to take away his lowly servants on earth with him to the place of eternal glory – Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalms 31:19-20.
God watches and observes us daily as we walk carefully in the path of humility till we get to heaven. Job 40:11. This path of humility is a steady path with no haste, because he that hastes with his feet sins. The humble will patiently wait for the Lord, they have no personal agenda, but the Lord. The pathway of humility is not a passage to run through with head raised up, not a passage to rush into, but patiently walk in and through. Thus we see that humble believers are full of patience, calm, flexible and are very thoughtful as they gird the loins of their minds to live soberly in hope for the glory to be revealed to them at the appearance and revelation of Jesus Christ. Humility is the power and the driven force behind our Lord’s perfect completion and fulfilment of God’s will on earth. It is the comportment and the disciplined behind his exaltation in heaven to receive of the Father the name that is above every other name – Jesus. Humility is the ignition of Christ power and the strenght of his character for his forbearance and longsuffering for all that he suffered on earth. It is the force and grace of his endurance against the contradictions of sinners. True humility from spiritual brokeness is a spiritual beauty for the subjects in the kingdom of God. But those who have eyes, but not seeing, heart that has waxed gross, not able to perceive anything, will continue to behold the riches of divine grace, the splendours and unsearchable riches of the glory of God in Christ Jesus, his Omnipotence, the fearfulness of his praises, depth of his wisdom, divine universal goodness to the just and to the unjust, his faithfulness in the immutability of his counsel and eternal purposes, will not humble themselves to emulate Christ example of humility to empty, abase and renounce or denial themselves in response to divine call of the necessity and obligation to walk in all humility of mind before God: ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13: 13-17.
The quality of spiritual brokenness is measured by our subjection to the gospel of Christ as we receive the engrafted word which is able to save our souls in meekness. This is the reason why the poor humble man in the spirit will not show any contempt and arrogance disregard for the word of God or for any of the five-fold ministerial offices in the kingdom, but will scrutinise and sift the messangers and their ministry in the balance of the word of God. James 1:19.
Unless we tremble to the word of God and repent like the people of Nineveh, there is imminent destruction awaiting the scorners -men and women with little or no regards for the word of God. The word of God is the spiritual divine prescription and medication for complete salvation, deliverance, healing and sanctification of our body, soul and spirit in preparation for heaven. The prescription must be strictly and carefully follow for its maximum healing, profit and efficacity in the thing wherein God has sent it for in your life.