Dear Ones:
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Philippians, made many remarkable statements. But there is one in particular which speaks of balance: “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how to be abased, and to abound: EVERYWHERE and IN ALL THINGS I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Phil. 4:11-12) How can this be? And how can we also live this blessed reality?
In the passage of Scripture which we call, “The Sermon On The Mount,” Jesus begins by saying the following: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 5:3) In the economy of God, to possess the kingdom, and all that that means with regard to all blessing in Christ, one must be “poor in spirit.” What does this mean? It is to KNOW a lack of resources, a consciousness of need, an acute awareness of the absence of blessing, without the capacity to meet that need. Spiritually speaking, it means that there is a certain conviction of one’s need for God, for Christ. Paul was a man who was very intelligent, and gifted. And yet, he was a man who was “poor in spirit,” for he felt keenly his need of Christ in every experience, at all times, and in every place. This was the first condition for knowing balance.
The second condition is found farther in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus said: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (v.6) How can one know how to be abased and ABOUND, unless they KNOW that they are not only a candidate for the fullness of Christ, but by faith actually KNOW His fullness? “Hungering and thirsting” are legitimate physical desires caused by a very evident need to eat and drink. Spiritually speaking, it is the same. God works in us through circumstances, and various other ways, to create in us a sense, and conscious conviction, of need. We come to KNOW that we are thirsty. Sometimes, it takes time to realize that the hunger and thirst that He gives is not for the things of this world, but for HIM. There is the hungering and thirsting after “righteousness,” after Christ, who IS our righteousness and life. But, what about KNOWING the reality of His fullness? Is it possible to KNOW GOD, Christ satisfying the deep needs of our hearts?
When God was seeking to bring Israel back from idolatry, and “barrenness” of heart and soul, he addressed each individual of the nation, and their desendents: “For I will pour water on HIM that his thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your offspring.” (Is. 44:3) The man who is “poor in spirit,” who knows and feels his need of Christ, has also that God-given thirst (desire) for Him. The promise of God is that He will meet that need…in answer to faith, and this by the gift of Himself, His Spirit. Scripture tells us that Jesus stood and cried to whoever would listen: “…If ANY man thirst, let Him come unto Me and drink. He that BELIEVES on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” “…he spoke of the Spirit…” (Jn. 7:37-39)
Paul’s balance came from the Spirit which God gave in answer to a conscious need, and cry of the heart. He lived in that attitude of his absolute need of Christ for all things, and in all circumstances. He hungered and thirsted, but he came to Christ to partake of Him, to drink the living water. This is why he would summarize and apply the entire subject by writing: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Father, give us to see and know how true is the fact that we ARE poor in spirit, in absolute need of the Savior at all times. And when the thirsts and hunger come, enable us to come to You with hearts that are open and receptive, KNOWING that you receive us, and will respond to our need. Grant us Your balance, hungering and yet being full, filled with Your fullness for every circumstance, and at all times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad