The Astonishing Beatitudes

The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections  
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But the Comforter . . .

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance . . .

John 14:26

July 25
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
Matthew 5:3-11
"Blessed are . . ."

The Astonishing Beatitude

Chambers' dry humor made me laugh saying... when you read the Beatitudes they seem to be beautiful precepts for seemingly overly spiritual and useless people, but of very little practical use for us. 

Until you encounter a circumstance in your own life that brings you face to face with one of the principles Jesus taught. 

And then you realize how difficult it really is to live the way that Jesus taught. In reality we rarely come across a time in our lives when we must turn the other cheek... but they do surface and what do we do? We demand justice, the pride within us rises and all we want to do is retaliate, we realize we do not want to turn our cheek for another slap on the face. What in the world do we do with this circumstance? 

We have to get on our knees and have a come to Jesus meeting, that is what we must do... either literally or just in our minds... whatever the situation allows or demands. 

I have lived many of these teachings of Jesus — some emotionally, some literally, and some both at the same time. These moments are never easy. They come without warning and confront you with the reality of what Jesus taught. But once you make it over that inner “hump,” once the Holy Spirit steadies your heart, you begin to see the truth clearly: lowering myself to someone else’s level is never worth losing the work Christ has done in me. 

The Holy Spirit teaches us how to respond in a way that honors Jesus, and if He hasn’t already taught us, life will bring a circumstance that forces the lesson. And in that moment, we either react in the flesh or respond in the Spirit — and only one of those paths keeps our heart aligned with Him. 

Chambers' closing statement: The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations—it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us. 

Prayer

Lord, teach me to walk in the spirit of the Beatitudes.
When pride rises or my flesh reacts, steady my heart and guide my steps.
Help me choose the way of Jesus — the way of meekness, mercy, purity, and peace.
Let Your Holy Spirit shape my responses so my life reflects Your grace.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Selah,

~ Quil

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Scripture References

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–11)

Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are they that mourn
Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek
Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers
Matthew 5:10–11 – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

“Turn the other cheek” 

Matthew 5:39 “Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Pride rising up / desire to retaliate

Proverbs 13:10 “Only by pride cometh contention…”
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

The Holy Spirit teaching us how to respond

John 14:26 “But the Comforter… shall teach you all things…”
Galatians 5:16 “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:22–23 The fruit of the Spirit — the qualities that shape our responses.

Reacting in the flesh vs. responding in the Spirit

Romans 8:5–6 “They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh… to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit…”

“Lowering myself to their level”
1 Peter 3:9 “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing…”
Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Life forcing the lesson if the Spirit hasn’t taught it yet
Hebrews 12:11 “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous… but afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness…”
Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”

The Sermon on the Mount as a picture of Spirit‑led life
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
Psalm 147:3 “He healeth the broken in heart…”
 

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