Beatitudes and the Grace of God

Matthew 5

The Beatitudes

 ¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,²and he began to teach them saying: 
 ³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn, 
      for they will be comforted. 
 ⁵Blessed are the meek, 
      for they will inherit the earth. 
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
      for they will be filled. 
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful, 
      for they will be shown mercy. 
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, 
      for they will see God. 
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, 
      for they will be called sons of God. 
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I can just imagine what the day might have been like the day that Jesus went up onto the mountain side the day He spoke of the Beatitudes. I'm sure that it looked differently than this picture, but this looks like an peaceful place, maybe one that He would have chosen as a place to talk to the disciples. It looks cool, it looks peaceful and it appears to be a place that they might find rest after a day of walking.  I know that this is my own picture in my own mind, but the Lord created beautiful things, so I like to think that the Lord may have chosen a spot like this! 

I was studying the Beatitudes tonight and  just praying that the Lord would use me. There are so many things going on right now that I'm just overwhelmed not with the "things" but with all of the opportunities that the Lord has been providing lately for His work to be done.   I love the verses of the Beatitudes and I want to exhibit all that Christ wants me to be in Him.  

I think about the reader ("Faith") mentioned in the my last post and I thank God that He can find even the platform of a blog to reach someone.   Of course, Christians are also humans and Christians are still sinners.  I am not perfect by any worldly standard, but thanks be to God that I am perfect in HIS sight.  And while I'm thanking Him....thank you Lord for Your grace.  Grace is free.  Thank you God for free grace. I thank the God that I serve for His grace and that HIS mercies are new EVERY morning.   It's great that His mercies are new every morning because in our humanness, we are not as likely to offer our own new mercy each day to ourselves, much less anyone else.  But God gives us the opportunity to experience HIS new mercies...and they are good.  

I'll leave you with one of my favorite old hymns.  I couldn't help but have it on my mind while writing this post.  What are you studying right now?  Has the Lord been using any scripture in your study lately that was especially moving?

 

GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

Words: Julia H. Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi ca go, Il li nois: The Bi ble In sti tute Col port age As so ci a tion, 1911), num ber 2.

Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910 (MI DI, score).