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by Dr David Jeremiah
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" - Psalm 34:8
Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
In the Old Testament, the word "blessed" or "happy" comes from a verb that means "to go straight; to advance." It was gradually used to refer to leading others straight ahead or in the right path, then to setting things right, and then to be right oneself--or to be happy, blessed, or in the best place.
There is lots of advice in the world about how to be happy, how to live a happy life. One popular lifestyle guru talks about "living your best life." But none of this advice squares with how the Bible describes true happiness or blessedness. Thirteen times in Scripture the phrase "blessed is the man who . . ." is used, and few of the conditions for happiness would be recommended by the world: meditating on God's Word, having a pure spirit, trusting in God, learning God's precepts, fearing God, listening to God, enduring temptation, and others. Drawing on the Old Testament examples, Jesus created His own list of nine conditions for happiness--the Beatitudes, or "be-attitudes" as they have been called.
What are your conditions for happiness? If they are the Bible's, you'll never be happier; if the world's, never sadder.
"To seek God is to desire happiness; to find Him is that happiness." - St. Augustine
See Also:
Daily Morning and Evening Devotionals by Spurgeon
Daily Devotional: Today With Jesus
Daily Devotional: My Utmost for His Highest
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