And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Blessed… Matthew 5:2,3
The word ‘blessed’ means happy. In the portion of the Sermon on the Mount that is often referred to as the Beatitudes, the Lord Jesus is listing those who can be happy and what it takes to be happy. This is an interesting study, on which much time might wisely be spent. The world’s primary pursuit is for happiness. Seeking happiness, people spend huge fortunes of cash (and credit). They pursue happiness in physical endeavour and accomplishment, in education, great works of talent and genius, in adventures of all kinds, in drugs and alcohol, in gross and abominable behaviour. In all their search for happiness, all these folks had to do was to open their Bibles to Matthew chapter 5, and study and follow the teachings of these verses.
As Christians, what makes us happy? Or maybe I should say, what should make us happy? The Word of God should make us happy as we read and meditate upon it. So too should the times of communion with God in prayer, as well as the times when we gather in Assembly meetings with other Christians or fellowship with them at any time. Happiness should also flow from willing, unselfish service for our Lord. Companionship with His people should make us happy. So too should the Gospel as we live, speak, and support it.
Happiness also comes from a firm reliance on our God for all of our needs and support. In the words of John Sammis’ grand old hymn: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
The American Declaration of Independence speaks of the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our Lord’s declaration on the mountain spoke of far more than a pursuit… He spoke of the certainty of happiness. He spoke words that, if we follow them, will fill our lives with joy and contentment.
If you are not as happy as you would like to be, here is the solution: Fit yourself into the Beatitudes. -Jim MacIntosh