For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.” vs. 6
Psalm 138
The psalmist’s insight is precious. He regards the Lord as being high, almost elevated from the plane of the earth, which would fit the notion that some have of the “Big Guy Upstairs.” But that doesn’t mean that he considers God to be somehow removed from humanity. On the contrary he teaches that the Lord is very close to the lowly, and that the Lord has a special relationship with the meek and the gentle. That’s the sort of thing Jesus was referencing in the Sermon on the Mount when he speaks of the poor in spirit as being particularly blessed. However, the haughty, the psalmist goes on to say, just don’t have that same connection to God. And Jesus would agree. The proud and the arrogant have no relationship with the Lord–God remains far away from their spirits because they have no time for the Spirit. Everything is wrapped up in pleasure, power, and possessions. It’s not that they’re unloved by God, but their self-constructed barriers make it nearly impossible for them to receive God’s blessing. Jesus had a special word for them, “Woe to you who are rich now…woe to you who are well-fed now.” We might not like it, but the scripture is plain. It’s the poor and the needy who have a special place in the heart of God.
Thought for the Day: How does one become haughty?
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