Stay Needy

Keeping two rough little boys clothed was quite a challenge!  What wasn’t ruined by stains was torn especially at the knees.  In frustration, I remember applying patches to some jeans that still had some wear left in them.  I was pretty proud of my clever patch work, but it was met with utter shock and dismay: “Mom, we’re not poor!”

 

How poor do you see yourself?  Regardless of what your bank balance is, by the world’s standards, Americans are quite wealthy – we tend to forget this.  By God’s measure, however, we’re all bankrupt!  He is, of course, most qualified to make that assessment since “every beast of the forest … and the cattle upon a thousand hills” are His! (Psalm 50:10).   Consider, however, your spiritual poverty – which word best describes it: arrogant or humble?  Should Mr. Bill be brave (and dumb) enough to ask me to shop for a ratchet tie-down, I would need help, i.e. what is it – where do I get it – what does it look like (also, why can’t you get it yourself).  David’s prayer in Psalm 86 said, “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” (86:1).  Wherever the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” originated, it wasn’t the Bible!  Scripture teaches the opposite:  “For You have been a Defense for the helpless, a Defense for the needy in his distress, a Refuge from the storm, a Shade from the heat.” (Isaiah 25:4).  God helps those who are of a humble and broken spirit, who admit their helplessness, weakness, frailty, and neediness.  The rest of Psalm 86 speaks of what He does for such ones: preserves – saves  forgives – delivers – comforts – strengthens - is compassionate, merciful, good, and gracious.  It’s good in the eyes of the LORD that we see ourselves poor and needy!  Those little boys were just embarrassed about those patches, so they got new jeans (yeah, Mom’s a softie!).  There’s no shame, however in being spiritually poor and needy; actually, it is priceless in the eyes of The Father!  Stay needy!