DRAWING NEAR

April 2

Happiness Is . . .

"Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . those who mourn . . .the
gentle . . . those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . .
the merciful . . . the pure in heart . . . the peacemakers . . .
[and] those who have been persecuted for the sake of
righteousness" (Matt. 5:3-10).

A quiz in a popular magazine characterized happy people as those who
enjoy other people but aren't self-sacrificing, who refuse to
participate in negative feelings or emotions, and who have a sense of
accomplishment based on their own self-sufficiency.

But Jesus described happy people quite differently. In fact, He
characterized them as spiritual beggars who realize they have no
resources in themselves. He said they are meek rather than proud,
mournful over their sin, self-sacrificing, and willing to endure
persecution to reconcile men to God.

By the world's standards, that sounds more like misery than
happiness! But the people of the world don't understand that what is
often thought of as misery is actually the key to happiness.

Follow the Lord's progression of thought: true happiness begins with
being poor in spirit (v. 3). That means you have a right attitude
toward sin, and that leads you to mourn over it (v. 4). Mourning over
sin produces a meekness that leads to hungering and thirsting for
righteousness (vv. 5-6), which results in mercy, purity of heart, and
a peaceable spirit (vv. 7-9)--attitudes that bring true happiness.

When you display those attitudes you can expect to be insulted,
persecuted, and unjustly accused (vv. 10-11) because your life will
be an irritating rebuke to worldly people. But despite the
persecution, you can "rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven
is great" (v. 12).

You are one of God's lights in a sin-darkened world (v. 14), and
while most people will reject Christ, others will be drawn to Him by
the testimony of your life. Be faithful to Him today so He can use
you that way.

Suggestions for Prayer:

Thank God for the grace enabling you to have Beatitude
attitudes. Ask Him to make you a bright light in someone's life
today.

For Further Study:

Read 1 Peter 2:19-23.

How did Jesus respond to persecution? How should you respond?

Drawing Near, Copyright c 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.http://www.gty.org

~~~

1 Peter 2:19-23 (NKJV)
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one
endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults,
you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take
it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He
suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who
judges righteously

These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.

In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.

If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.

You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:

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and

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You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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In Christ,

Peter

Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pch...@wowway.com

STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?http://www.gty.org/Gospel

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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor