WHERE’S HAPPINESS?

An unhappy skeptic said to Benjamin Franklin, “The Constitution is a mockery! Where’s the happiness that it guarantees?”

“My friend,” said Franklin, “it only guarantees the pursuit of happiness.”

Our word for happiness can be misleading. The “root” hap means chance. Human happiness is dependent on the chances and the changes of life, the “things” that we consider to be the daily events or circumstances of life that come and go without warning.

On the other hand, consider the beatitudes given to us by Jesus. They are not about some hope for a future or blissful state in heaven. They are for the now which belongs to the Christian at this moment in our lives. The way the beatitudes are written assures the Christian of the power of God to change us and others, the joyous thrill of His presence, and the hope of life with Him.

The word blessed that is used in each of the beatitudes is a very special word. It describes a joy that has its secret within itself – a joy that is peaceful and untouchable and self-contained. It is a joy that is above and beyond and independent of all the circumstances of life. It is a joy that comes from God Himself. “No one,” said Jesus, “will take your joy from you!”

The world cannot take away the joy that comes from and through Christ. Walking daily with Him, and “doing” the beatitudes assures us of a joy that no one or nothing can disturb.

Prayer:  Give us, our Heavenly Father, a peace that passes this world’s understanding, a joy that comes from Your presence, and hope that assures us of our home with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:     God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! Matthew 5:1-12