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spirit". "Blessed is he that considereth the poor" (Psa. 41: 1) could be understood, but
"blessed are the poor" would have sounded strange doctrine indeed.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matt. 5: 4, N.I.V.).
This does not refer to those who are lamenting from any cause. Much will depend on
the cause of the mourning and the mental outlook of the mourner. Such may mourn over
their own shortcomings and sins, but they will also be concerned about the sin and failure
and indifference of the world around them, which interferes with the plans of God and
His sovereignty over the earth. They will be comforted when they realize that nothing
finally can overturn His almighty purpose which will surely be fulfilled, and then "God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Rev. 7: 17).
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5: 5).
These words are uttered by the One Who called Himself "meek and lowly in heart"
(Matt. 11: 29) and shall the disciple be above his Master? Christ is quoting from
Psa.37:, where the phrase "shall inherit the earth" occurs 5 times (verses 9, 11, 22,
29, 34, land and earth represent the same word). The land is surely that which was
promised to Abraham and his posterity, from the Nile to the river Euphrates (Gen.xv.18).
Meekness is often misunderstood and reckoned as weakness. Moses was described as
"very meek, above all men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numb. 12: 3) but he
was anything but weak. Meekness is the gentleness of real strength, certainly not
effeminacy. Meek people are humble so far as their own attainments are concerned, but
they have a mighty tower of strength divinely given to draw on when needed, and can be
resolute and unbending when demanded by circumstances.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled"
(Matt. 5: 6, N.I.V.).
It is noteworthy that it is the hunger and thirst for righteousness, and not the
possession of it, that is pronounced "blessed". To assess oneself as righteous, like the
Pharisee in the parable, is fatal. To know one needs it is not enough. But to have a
passionate and persistent longing for something better like righteousness is always good.
We should never be content with our spiritual condition. It is the hungry soul that the
Lord fills with goodness (Psa. 107: 9) and our aim should constantly be Christ-likeness
even though we can never completely attain to it.
Such will be the attitude of mind of those who seek to enter the kingdom, the Lord
declares.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matt. 5: 7, N.I.V.).
This Beatitude relates to the dealing of men with one another, and those who exhibit
mercy will themselves find mercy in the day of judgment and reckoning for service.
God's mercy is at once cause and effect. Because God is merciful to him, the righteous
person is merciful to others and because he is merciful, he wins God's mercy. This
mercy is frequent in the O.T. (Psa. 86: 15; 103: 8; 111: 4; 112: 4; 116: 5; 145: 8)
and is often joined with graciousness and compassion. The need for mercy and