Daily Devotional
Daily Devotional: Can you be “happy” without Jesus Christ?
March 5, 2019
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Jesus tells us that when we seek after righteousness, we will be filled. Sounds like we’ll be happy, don’t you think? But happiness is not something we find by hungering for it; it’s something we receive by serving the Lord.
The word “happy” comes from the same root as “happening” or “happenstance.” In other words, it depends on what “happens” to you, or on your circumstances, rather than on your relationship with God or upon who you are in Christ. Happiness can be superficial if it comes from external circumstances. Joy, in contrast, comes from deep within.
God doesn’t want us to be “happy” without Christ. God allows us to experience unhappiness in our lives in the same way we experience pain when we step on a nail. The pain tells us something is wrong.
Now, for us to seek happiness without seeking righteousness would be like breaking our arm and then not taking a pain killer and getting it set. Blessing comes when we find the Deliverer.
ACTION POINT:
When you hunger for Him, you will have Him. How much of God do you want today?
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
