Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:1-12; 1 Peter 1:3-9

“Humble men are very fortunate!” he told them, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. Those who mourn are fortunate for they shall be comforted. The meek and lowly are fortunate for the whole wide world belongs to them. HAPPY are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. HAPPY are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. HAPPY are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. HAPPY are those who strive for peace—they shall be called the sons of God. HAPPY are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” – Matthew 5:3-10 (TLB)

Most of us know this passage from other translations that use the word “blessed”. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers. And this is the one that catches most of us off guard — Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because GREAT is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

WE ARE BLESSED IN BOTH THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD.

There are times when we grieve or experience the pain that comes with life. Sometimes we go through a season when the accusations of the enemy are drowning out the voice of God. It is during these battles against doubt and hurt when we need to declare the promises of God to replace the lies of Satan. We need to remind ourselves to rejoice and be glad, even when it does not come naturally. Great is my reward IN HEAVEN — not always so great here on earth.

But there is a joy that begins right here, right now, when we walk in relationship with Jesus — a joy that finds us in those moments when we need it most. This joy comes from praising God and declaring His faithfulness when others fail us or the battle intensifies. I don’t have to conjure up joy. I don’t have to pretend to be happy. Just a whisper for help and the Spirit can produce in me fruit that is unexplainable, such as JOY in the middle of a difficult situation or PEACE in the midst of a trial. Listen to these words of wisdom from Peter:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So BE TRULY GLAD. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:3-9

SO BE TRULY GLAD. REJOICE WITH A GLORIOUS, INEXPRESSIBLE JOY.

Lord, I am happy because I am blessed by a God who protects me by His power and tells me of a wonderful joy that is ahead for me. Today I choose to embrace my God in the good and the bad. I choose to be truly glad. I choose to allow the joy of the Spirit to fill me and the peace that goes beyond my understanding to wash over me. Lord, fill me with a glorious, inexpressible joy, and may that joy be evident for those around me to see. Help me to trust in you through seasons of doubt and hurt. Amen.