National Director's Column

Whenever we read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), it is hard to miss the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10. Its eight blessings attract us, and are what we long for because they are seemingly beyond our reach. I therefore selected this topic for our NavStaff’s upcoming Extended Time With God. During my preparatory research, I stumbled upon John Stott’s Sermon on the Mount.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (verse 3). The Lord honours those who are humble or lowly in His presence. And the King even promises them the inheritance of His kingdom. There is enough in the Scriptures to confirm this, two of which are:

1. Isaiah 66:2b “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit ...”

2. Luke 18:13 “But the tax collector ... would not even look up ... and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner ...’”

Along with others who follow Christ, we must humble ourselves before God. This marks us as those who yearn to claim the kingdom of heaven. This should be our goal. We are each called to follow and be like Him. I encourage you to join us in pursuing and practising the Beatitudes as we meditate on it this last quarter, and as a preparation for the coming new year.

Go to this link to download the Beatitudes card or to read John Stott’s book - wp.me/p6jEYb-J8