Jesus came to bless the poor in spirit. James tells us that God has chosen the poor, and not just in spirit.

It is noticeable when one goes to India how humble the people are. They are poor in spirit and poor in material wealth. You see the same thing in Mexico.

Maybe we Americans are prouder than we think. Maybe we don't see the miracles of God more than we do because of our pride, some of it based on money and some on our "superior" education (which is not so superior anymore because God is not blessing our schools!).

Perhaps David meant he was poor in that he was afflicted and in trouble. He was on the run from Saul. Most of us know the story how he pretended to be mad in front of Achish, the king of Gath.

In any case, if you want to get something from the Lord, don't come showing off. God sends the rich away empty.

We Americans regard ourselves as superior to the rest of the world, especially if some country doesn't govern like we do or eat McDonald's hamburgers or fails in some other manner we try to get them to perform. We are so pleased when they salute and acquiesce to our demands.

Oftentimes we do not show much respect for other cultures.

Maybe if other nations become as democratic as we they can advance to drive-by shootings of civilians or having their kids in school shoot or stab each other or poison the teacher. But then the other countries of the world aren't doing so hot either.

It seems to me while the poorer nations are bowing and scraping they are regarding us as a bunch of fools. Are we too stupid to see it? They are afraid of us because the blessing of God on America (the result of our past Christian population and values) has provided us with wealth and power. But it is likely that many countries even now are plotting to attack the United States in the future.

We are doing little today to maintain the blessing of God! We have grown arrogant and self-satisfied.

When God decides the United States has played its role in history a rowboat full of boy scouts will be able to overcome our military establishment.

Unless there is a wholesale repentance and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ we are in for it but good.

It has been said that optimists are learning Russian and pessimists Chinese. If we don't get right with God we better learn Russian and Chinese with maybe Libyan thrown in. I doubt the Libyan leaders have forgotten we made a bombing raid on them a few years back. Arabs are remarkably patient when planning revenge and they don't like to lose face.

David had the quick wit to feign insanity. Maybe we will have to do that some day.

Let's get poor in spirit and cry mightily to the Lord. Now we are hiding behind our chained, peep-holed doors while we drink beer and watch television. If the entire West Coast fell into the Pacific and it interrupted the Super Bowl we would be grossly upset.

When the hairy fist crashes through your security door it may be a little late to call on the Lord.

If we will humble ourselves and cry to the Lord He will hear us and save us out of all our troubles. Grab that word all. You may need it some day.