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Blessed . . . in the Eyes of God
What is happiness? Ask 20 different people to answer that question, and you’ll probably get 20 different answers.
But for the citizen of the kingdom of heaven, the path to true happiness is the path of blessedness described by Jesus in Matthew 5:1 – 11.
As Matthew Henry points out, until you know what true happiness is, you will never discover God’s path to find it.
Walk With Matthew Henry
“Happiness is the thing people pretend to pursue. But most form a wrong notion of it and miss the way.
“The general opinion is: Blessed are those who are rich and honorable in the world, who spend their days in mirth and their years in pleasure.
“Jesus comes to correct this fundamental error and give us quite another notion of blessedness.
“However paradoxical his teaching may appear to those in the world, to those who are saved it is a rule of eternal truth and certainty by which we must shortly be judged.
“If this, therefore, be the beginning of Christ’s doctrine, the Christian’s duty must be to take his measure of happiness from those maxims, and to direct his life accordingly.”
Walk Closer to God
Would you consider yourself truly happy if your life were characterized by meekness . . . mercy . . . poverty in spirit . . . persecution?
You would if you had God’s perspective on happiness.
Given the chance, the world will offer you a bogus substitute — a happiness dependent on money, prestige or circumstances.
Christ says true happiness consists of none of these.
But you must decide. Which notion of blessedness will you build your life on today? How do you complete the sentence “Happiness is . . .”?
What is happiness? Ask 20 different people to answer that question, and you’ll probably get 20 different answers.
But for the citizen of the kingdom of heaven, the path to true happiness is the path of blessedness described by Jesus in Matthew 5:1 – 11.
As Matthew Henry points out, until you know what true happiness is, you will never discover God’s path to find it.
Walk With Matthew Henry
“Happiness is the thing people pretend to pursue. But most form a wrong notion of it and miss the way.
“The general opinion is: Blessed are those who are rich and honorable in the world, who spend their days in mirth and their years in pleasure.
“Jesus comes to correct this fundamental error and give us quite another notion of blessedness.
“However paradoxical his teaching may appear to those in the world, to those who are saved it is a rule of eternal truth and certainty by which we must shortly be judged.
“If this, therefore, be the beginning of Christ’s doctrine, the Christian’s duty must be to take his measure of happiness from those maxims, and to direct his life accordingly.”
Walk Closer to God
Would you consider yourself truly happy if your life were characterized by meekness . . . mercy . . . poverty in spirit . . . persecution?
You would if you had God’s perspective on happiness.
Given the chance, the world will offer you a bogus substitute — a happiness dependent on money, prestige or circumstances.
Christ says true happiness consists of none of these.
But you must decide. Which notion of blessedness will you build your life on today? How do you complete the sentence “Happiness is . . .”?
Scripture
About this Plan
The Once-A-Day Walk with Jesus Devotional incorporates unique ways to be drawn into God’s Word. This 21 day extract of the 365 daily readings will start you on your journey through the New Testament and strengthen your faith. Each day includes a brief meditation passage, a Scripture reference for the New Testament text, a quote from a remarkable Christian writer of the past, and an application section relevant for your life today.
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