Treasuring His Word (Psalm 119:2)

“Blessed are they that keep [Hebrew, nâtsar, guard, watch, observe] His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2 KJV). Why are they blessed? For two reasons. They (1) “keep His testimonies,” i.e., because they are important, so they obey them, and (2) “seek Him with the whole heart,” i.e., emphasis is upon the LORD, and absolute giving of the heart to Him. None other than “whole heart” seeking is possible, since “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). LORD, deliver us from half hearted seeking, believing we can be blessed by such deceptiveness. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Ordinary People

What does “ordinary people” mean? We want the happiness of people needing people, but we fall prey to enshrining the needs of someone other than God as the bedrock of our happiness. “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 144:15 KJV). We live in exceptional times, or as Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” in A Tale of Two Cities (1859). Our sense of “happiness” and “ordinary people” must be tied to the LORD, for Hollywood’s “Ordinary People” (1980) or Broadway’s “People” (1964) [“needing people”] are only a facsimile of the truly blessed people Jesus described. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). These are the ordinary people, who are the happiest people on earth. Only when our heartfelt sympathy is defined by the LORD, then Charles Dickens’ Sydney Carton’s sacrifice for the happiness of another becomes at all significant. “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done.” LORD, may our motivation and aspiration be of Thee, and may the world receive the benefit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Happiness Promised From Revelation (Revelation 1:3)

Happiness is promised to those who read, hear, and obey the Book of Revelation, because its timing is now, at any moment. It must be understandable to be obeyed. “Blessed [Greek, makarios, blessed, happy] is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV). It cannot be simply historical, or it would have little, but allegorical value at best. Take Jesus at His word, and expect happiness to result from reading, hearing, and keeping the Book of Revelation. LORD, You are the source of our happiness. How could Your future plans not bring us happiness? Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Happiness Is A Choice

Happiness is a personal choice, but only Yahweh can persuade and aid us at being so blessed. “Kiss the Son [Messiah, Christ], lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:12 KJV). In both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures “blessed” and “happy” are translation equivalents. Bless us, O LORD, and we shall be blessed. Amen and amen.