First Missionary Baptist Church

06/02/2026

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

06/02/2026

Hope for the Poor in Spirit

Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings commonly known as the beatitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.

So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?

Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a common characteristic in the kingdom of heaven.

Those who are poor in spirit know that they can’t, but they trust that God can.

If we’re honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable, and self-dependent. We would rather lack nothing. But even if we happen to be financially stable or physically healthy, we cannot save our own souls.

We were created to need God.

So if you’re feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it’s okay. If you feel like you have nothing to offer, Jesus actually says that you are blessed.

When you have a need, He can meet it. When you’re not enough, He already is. And when you feel poor in spirit, you are in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

06/01/2026

Songs in the Dark

Even in life’s hardest and most depressing seasons, God is with us and is listening to us.

One purpose of a song of lament, or lament psalm, is to be honest with God. It’s about expressing vulnerability by telling God exactly how we feel. We should never be afraid of God or how we speak to Him, because He is able to handle our deepest emotions and complaints. And lament psalms are our model in Scripture on how we can be honest with Him.

Psalm 42 is a lament psalm. It is a song about the hopelessness of the writer’s current condition. It speaks to deep sorrow and grief that is experienced in life. The writer of Psalm 42 does not know why he is depressed. He’s not sure why certain things are happening to him. And so he goes to God in prayer and song, expressing the deepest parts of his soul.

Another purpose of lament is to connect the hopelessness of life with the hope that God gives. Laments act as a bridge between our present situation and the promises we’re waiting on.

The writer of this Psalm speaks to his own soul and encourages himself to continue to hope in God. He knows that no season lasts forever, and there will come a time when joy returns to him.

We will all go through seasons of sadness and grief. And we will have Psalms as a guide. The first step is to come before God and honestly express yourself to Him. Tell Him exactly how you feel.

Next, remember the promises that He has given you in His Word. Recount how much He loves you and cares for you.

And lastly, encourage yourself to put your hope in God. Move towards songs of praise in spite of your current circumstances.