There was a simple man who watched his new neighbor move in next door. The man observed all kinds of modern gadgets, pricey furniture, expensive art, fancy clothes, and imported cars being put into their proper places. Then, the onlooker called over and said, “Hey neighbor, if you find yourself lacking anything, let me know, and I will show you how to live without it!” That is good advice! When the Bible mentions the word blessed, God is referring to is true happiness. God wants to bless us. He wants us to be happy. However, you have to get His happiness, His way. In the gospel of Matthew 5:1-5, Jesus revealed godly traits that show the secrets to happiness. True believers find true happiness in Jesus’ kingdom, not in the world. In spite of trials and tribulation, this type of happiness goes deep, because it comes from God. The world cannot offer true happiness. Be encouraged and choose the Kingdom of God. The world and it’s things are passing away, so come out of the world. Choose the Kingdom of God. Choose His happiness.

On the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus pointed out that happy people are those who are poor in spirit. People who are poor in spirit recognize their need for God. Without God, they are begging for crumbs to feel alive and happy. Just like the poor are dependent on the mercy of others, the poor in spirit depend on Jesus for their happiness. They know without Jesus their life is empty and the world does not satisfy them. God is everything to these individuals! Jesus is their only satisfaction. The poor in spirit appreciate their relationship with Jesus. They appreciate the cost that Jesus paid so they could fellowship with Him. Since, they recognize their desperate need for God, seeking Him and His righteousness is their top priority. All they want to do is serve Him, be with Him, and commune with Him. They know that sin blocks all those things, so they seek to nurture a relationship with God. That is what it means to be poor in spirit, and if you want to be happy, you must become poor in spirit also. For the poor in spirit, Jesus said that the kingdom of God is theirs. When you come into the kingdom of God, you will have everything you need to be happy! Isn’t God good!

Questions: How often do you depend on Jesus for happiness? In what ways do you depend on Jesus for your happiness?

Prayer: Lord, we need You. Without You we are nothing. Without You we will be forever hungry. Remind us to turn around when we start seeking the world. In  Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.