A NEW BEATITUDE

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  (Matthew 11:6 NKJV)

Our Lord put within the reach of His noble forerunner the blessedness of those who have not seen and yet have believed; of those who trust Him though they are slain; of those who wait the Lord's pleasure; and of those who cannot understand His dealings, but rest in what they know of His heart. This is the beatitude of those who are not offended, of those who do not stumble over the mystery of God's dealings with their life.

This blessedness is within our reach also. There are times when we are overpowered with the mystery of life and nature. The world is so full of pain and sorrow; strong hearts seem breaking under an intolerable load. God's children are sometimes the most bitterly tried. For them the fires are heated seven times; they suffer, not only at the hand of man, but the heavens seem as stone to their cries and tears. The enemy of souls has reason to challenge them with the taunt, "Where is now your God?"

You and I have perhaps have been in this predicament. We have said, "Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?" We are tempted to stumble; we are prone to fall over the mysteries of God's dealings with us. But it is then that we have the chance of inheriting this new beatitude. If we refuse to bend under the mighty hand of God, questioning, chafing, murmuring at His appointments, we miss the door which would admit us into rich and unaltered happiness; we fumble about the lock, but it is not opened. But if we will quiet our souls like a weaned child, anointing our heads and washing our faces, then light will break in on us from the eternal morning. The peace of God will keep our hearts and minds, and we shall enter upon this blessedness of which our Lord speaks.

PRAYER

Forgive our sins, our faithless tears, and our repining murmurs. Lift us on the tide of Your love into fuller, richer, deeper experiences. May we know what it is to have Christ in us, the hope of glory. In Jesus’ name I ask it, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #80:
I provide food for the hungry and justice for the oppressed.

Psalm 146:7 (WEB)
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.