There is no question but that this scripture refers to our Lord Jesus Christ who came to “preach the gospel to the poor,” and who said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Arthur Pink described them as those “Who have nothing, can do nothing, and know nothing.” “But he who was rich became poor that through his poverty we might have all things.”
But let this mind be in you (who are his people) which was in Christ Jesus our Lord! As Christ considered us in our state of poverty and weakness, so ought we to consider others who are poor, weak, and needy. For, as David says, “Blessed is the man who considereth the poor, the Lord will also deliver him in time of trouble.”
Those who think of and care for others in their need will find the Lord thinking of and caring for them. He often measures blessings to us using our own bushel! When we come to God for forgiveness we come bringing the principle of forgiveness we ourselves extend to others; when we come to God for mercy, we bring our record for showing mercy; when we come to God for blessings, remember “with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you” (Matt. 7:2).
“Blessed is the man that considereth the poor:
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble;
The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive;
He shall be blessed on the earth;
The Lord will deliver him from his enemies;
The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of sorrow;
The Lord will transform his bed in sickness.”
(Psalm 41:1-3)
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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