In order to receive the blessing of God we are to recognize, that we are "poor in spirit.” Being poor in spirit means we are dependent on God because our own spiritual resources are insufficient. We can do nothing to earn God's love and forgiveness.

This attitude is seen in the life of David after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan over his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. In Psalm 51 David wrote, "You do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it."

David realized that there was nothing he could do to make amends for his sins. No amount of work he could perform and no offering large enough to make up for his disappointing lack of restraint. He could have sacrificed his future relationship with Bathsheba. Yet to do so, would leave Bathsheba destitute, as he had also orchestrated her husband’s murder. There was no point, in David trying to retrace his steps or attempt to undo the mess he had made. David, like us, was dependent on God's mercy and grace. He goes on to say, "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart."

Although we may not have committed adultery or murder, we have nonetheless committed sins which have offended God's holiness, so we are also dependent on him for mercy and grace. Our attitude changes to being "poor in spirit" when we acknowledge how far we are from God’s holiness. Yet rather than be disappointed with this deficit, we can rejoice in God’s willingness to provide all the grace we need.

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