40 MORE DAYS OF JOY - 12
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 MORE Days of Happiness and Joy
Day 12 | HAPPY AND BLESSED
40 MORE Days of Happiness and Joy
Day 12 | HAPPY AND BLESSED
HAPPY AND BLESSED
Psalm 144:15
“Happy and blessed are the people who are in such a case; yes, happy (blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied) are the people whose God is the Lord!” (AMP)
Most often when we read the word “blessed” in the Old Testament, it’s a translation of the Hebrew word “esher”. In the New Testament, it would most likely be “makarios” in the Greek. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says: “The Hebrew word "esher" conveys a state of happiness or blessedness. It is often used to describe the condition of those who are in a right relationship with God, experiencing His favor and guidance. This term is not merely about external circumstances but reflects an inner joy and contentment that comes from living according to God's will.”
So, the Amplified Bible tries here to capture ALL of that definition in one verse: “blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied.”
WHY do Christians – especially long-time Christians – tense up when we suggest “happiness” is OK?
I like how Francis of Assisi said it: “Let us leave sadness to the devil and his angels. As for us, what can we be but rejoicing and glad?”
If your God is the LORD, then you’re one of His children. And, just as you wish for your own children to be cheerful and happy, your Heavenly Father wants that for you too! He loves YOU. Sure, He wants us to avoid sinning, but short of that, we could – and should – feel the freedom to be FULL of joy because we are BLESSED and therefore happy!
As Spurgeon puts it: “There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus: humility, happiness and holiness.”
Prayer: Thank You Lord for making me one of your children. I rejoice in You. I am saved and safe in You. Thank You that I can be blessed and happy in You! Amen.
Psalm 144:15
“Happy and blessed are the people who are in such a case; yes, happy (blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied) are the people whose God is the Lord!” (AMP)
Most often when we read the word “blessed” in the Old Testament, it’s a translation of the Hebrew word “esher”. In the New Testament, it would most likely be “makarios” in the Greek. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says: “The Hebrew word "esher" conveys a state of happiness or blessedness. It is often used to describe the condition of those who are in a right relationship with God, experiencing His favor and guidance. This term is not merely about external circumstances but reflects an inner joy and contentment that comes from living according to God's will.”
So, the Amplified Bible tries here to capture ALL of that definition in one verse: “blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied.”
WHY do Christians – especially long-time Christians – tense up when we suggest “happiness” is OK?
I like how Francis of Assisi said it: “Let us leave sadness to the devil and his angels. As for us, what can we be but rejoicing and glad?”
If your God is the LORD, then you’re one of His children. And, just as you wish for your own children to be cheerful and happy, your Heavenly Father wants that for you too! He loves YOU. Sure, He wants us to avoid sinning, but short of that, we could – and should – feel the freedom to be FULL of joy because we are BLESSED and therefore happy!
As Spurgeon puts it: “There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus: humility, happiness and holiness.”
Prayer: Thank You Lord for making me one of your children. I rejoice in You. I am saved and safe in You. Thank You that I can be blessed and happy in You! Amen.
Posted in JOY 2