I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship and other’s relationship with the Lord. It’s an amazing thing that God has done in bringing us to Him. Such love. Such grace. Sometimes it makes me cry. Other times it makes me sing. Our God truly is an awesome God.

I have been writing about the principle of being “poor in spirit”, that state of heart where we recognize how much we truly need God. The more I think about this topic, the more I think about how necessary it is for us to truly grasp the significance of this heart condition. It needs to become a natural part of our personal spiritual, intellectual and emotional makeup. It can’t just be something we talk about. It must become a part of who we are.

I was recently praying about some concerns in my family’s life and in my business life because I really needed some answers. I can remember verbalizing, “God, I need Your wisdom.”

As I was saying that I was reminded of the scripture in James that says,

But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and upbraideth not, and it will be given him. James 1:5

It was then that my heart was enlightened to the following truth:

“This is the natural mindset of the poor in spirit. Their immediate reaction is to ask of God because they know they will receive of Him. They are already convinced they do not have it all or know it all. They know that God knows everything and has everything.”

The question on the table is, “Where do YOU stand?”

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He Knows

A number of people I write to are business owners, managers, leaders, parents, people who have responsibility for others. To be in these positions it requires some level of competence and ability. This is good because competence is extremely important. But the sad fact is some people forget where that competence comes from. They have forgotten all knowledge comes from God.

I can remember some years ago I worked as an avionics technician. I worked in this position for 6 years full time and 6 years part time. As an avionics technician I was responsible for repairing and installing communications and navigation systems in helicopters and airplanes. I loved this job because I could go up and fly with the pilots at times to verify my work was good. How’s that for quality assurance?!

Anyway, there were a number of times I would be working on a helicopter and I would accidentally drop a screw or nut or even a small tool down inside the engine area or some other sensitive area of the helicopter. I would search and search trying to find that screw because I knew a 3-cent screw could bring down a million-dollar aircraft!

(Have you ever lost something small and just couldn’t find it? Sometimes it may not be that important to find it because you have a replacement or you could do without it. This wasn’t my case. I had to find that screw!)

So after I searched and was ready to give up, I would pray. Here were my thoughts as I was asking for God’s help:

“God is omnipresent meaning He is everywhere, including here with me. God is omniscient meaning He knows everything, including where this screw is. Lord, please show me the screw.” And in a matter of seconds I would see the screw as if a spotlight was shining directly on it. This not only happened once but a number of times throughout my aviation career.

These experiences taught me a valuable, practical lesson - I NEED God everyday, even in my “non-spiritual” experiences. God not only knows the spiritual and religious, but He also knows everything about EVERYTHING - even those things we consider secular!

To the poor in spirit there is no distinction between spiritual knowledge and secular knowledge. From the kingdom of God’s perspective they are all the same.

• Are you in real estate? God knows everything about real estate.

• Are you a medical professional? God knows everything about the human body and the sciences involved.

• Are you a business owner? God knows everything about the specific business you are in - the sales cycle, the market analysis, etc.

• Are you a computer “geek”? God knows all the intricacies of bytes and bits and how everything works.

• Are you a teacher or attorney or secretary or security guard or politician and yes, even a minister of the gospel? God knows your profession better than any other person in the world.

How do I know?

Just ask Him. He will tell you! It all comes down to you asking the question, “Father, can You help me? I have a need to know.”

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King Solomon’s Example

King Solomon has become one of my favorite studies because in him was found the heart of being poor in spirit. God approached Solomon in a dream and asked him one of the most intriguing questions we all would love to hear.

“Ask! What shall I give you?” I Kings 3:5b

Most of us would probably hear that question like it was coming from a genie in a bottle. That shows you how much we have been corrupted by our culture and sin. But Solomon did not hear it that way. He heard it from a “poor in spirit” heart. He says,

“…You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness in heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

The speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. I Kings 3:6-10

King Solomon was a grown, married man at the time of this prayer, yet he made two heart-revealing replies:

“…But I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” -and-

“…For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Solomon was quick to recognize his utter need of God to fulfill the responsibilities given him. He didn’t allow position, age, family heritage, gender, past accomplishments or any other distinction keep him from truthfully seeing his need and God’s ability to supply. He basically told God, “I have a need to know.”

Solomon exhibited what it means to be poor in spirit and he was given the kingdom of heaven (just as Jesus said.)

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What You Must Do

If you have come to roadblocks in your business, your reaction should be, “Father, I have a need to know.”

If you have come to roadblocks in your marriage or family, your reaction should be, “Father, I have a need to know.”

If your competence and current knowledge is not getting the job done, your reaction should be, “Father, I have a need to know.”

Wherever you find lack in your life and need to be filled, your reaction should be, “Father, I have a need to know.”

May you and I capture this grace for our hearts. For ours, says the Lord, is the kingdom of heaven!