Where true happiness lies

Happy are those who are merciful to others;
God will be merciful to them!
Happy are the pure in heart;
they will see God!
Happy are those who work for peace;
God will call them his children! (verses 7-9)

Read Matthew 5:1-10

Just like us, the people of Jesus’ time were in search of happiness. That’s why they followed Jesus wherever he went. They wanted to see his miracles, listen to the wise words he spoke and experience the happiness his message brought them. And Jesus told them where true happiness lies.

What he said to them (and what he tells us today) is that if we are compassionate, if we see good in others and if we work for peace (in other words, if we are like Jesus), God will be happy to call us his children and we will find satisfaction in our lives, and this is what produces true happiness. There are also other things that bring happiness that are mentioned in the Bible reading for today. Find comfort and peace by reading about them again.

True happiness doesn’t lie in material things. Rather, it results from how we respond to God’s wonderful love for us in Jesus. This is what brings true and lasting happiness.

Dear Jesus, I know that true happiness lies in your loving me and my response to that love. Thank you for the happiness you bring me. Amen.

By Grace Bock, in “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2003)

Visit the Daily Devotion archives page.