This is a poem I wrote for a sermon on the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1–12, to convey the meaning of each Beatitude. I delivered it as part of the message “Living in the Beatitudes Beat,” which you can also find on this blog. The message was delivered at Mt. View Presbyterian Church, January 29, 2023.
When doubt creeps in
Because you see so much sin:
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
When your vision gets blurred
And you can’t see God’s word:
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
When life drains you
But God’s hope sustains you
And His people maintain you:
Blessed are the poor in Spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When your loved ones sleep
Awaiting God’s keep:
Blessed are those who mourn.
When your loss is profound
And you’re on shaky ground:
Blessed are those who mourn.
When you can’t see your way
At the end of the day
And all you can do is pray:
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
When your anger is strong
But you hold your tongue:
Blessed are the meek.
When you know evil’s fate
And remember God is great:
Blessed are the meek.
When your hope’s in the Lord
Standing firm on his word
Wielding the Spirit’s sword:
Blessed are the meek,
For they will inherit the earth.[1]
When your soul has been stirred
And you long for God’s word:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
When you know hope is true
And God’s carried you through:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
When you know God’s healing,
Faith is more than a feeling,
And with joy you are reeling:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled.
When your love is displayed
To those dismayed:
Blessed are the merciful.
When you’re good to those
Who would bloody your nose:
Blessed are the merciful.
When you see the pain of a mother
Or the hurt of a brother,
And with God’s love you do cover:
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
When you know you’ve done right
Because you’re a child of the Light:
Blessed are the pure in heart.
When you stand for the truth
And your life is its proof:
Blessed are the pure in heart.
When you speak by the Spirit
So that all flesh may hear it
And no one will fear it:
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they will see God.
When the hurt you’ve received
Needs to be relieved
Blessed are the peacemakers.
When the hurt that you’ve given
Needs to be forgiven:
Blessed are the peacemakers.
When you see the strife
Of husband and wife
And offer them new life:
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called children of God.
When you stand for what’s right
And the world picks a fight:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
When you defend the innocent
The world treats with malevolence:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
When you take a stand
For God and land
Upheld by His right hand:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
© Scott Stocking, February 4, 2023
[1] See Psalm 37:8–11
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