Enviably Happy
Think about the idea of being enviably happy. You achieve a
state of happiness that those who observe you, those who are around you, those
who know of you, desire to have your happiness. Whoa! It’s one thing to be
happy, but what about enviably happy?
It’s no secret that our culture is looking for happiness.
Just search Youtube for “happy” and you will come across thousands of recent
videos, one of which from Pharrell Williams with over 300M views (I’m sure
you’ve been hearing this hit song constantly in public and private places
alike). It’s a catchy song, but the lyrics are also solid. I mean, who can
disregard the statement “can’t nothing bring me down”?
Forget about the song for a moment, and let’s get Jesus’
perspective on happiness. I was reading Matthew 5 in the Amplified translation.
A few verses into that passage it hit me- THIS IS A GUIDE TO HAPPINESS!
Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous…
Blessed and enviably happy…
Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous…
Blessed and fortunate and happy and…
Blessed (happy, [m]enviably fortunate…
If you want to get some happiness about you, take a few
moments to read through Matthew 5:3-12 in the Amplified. Allow the Word of God
to sink into your heart, and let it renew your mind. Before you know it, you
will have a happiness coming out of you that positively affects the people
around you!
3 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually
prosperous—[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless
of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate
themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
4 Blessed and enviably happy [with a [d]happiness produced
by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation
of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!
5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, [e]spiritually
prosperous—[f]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation,
regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient,
long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!
6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and [g]spiritually
prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God [h]enjoys His
favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
(uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be[i]completely
satisfied!
7 Blessed (happy, [j]to be envied, and [k]spiritually
prosperous—[l]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation,
regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy!
8 Blessed (happy, [m]enviably fortunate, and [n]spiritually
prosperous—possessing the [o]happiness produced by the experience of God’s
favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of
their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
9 Blessed (enjoying [p]enviable happiness, [q]spiritually
prosperous—[r]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation,
regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and [s]maintainers of
peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
10 Blessed and happy and [t]enviably fortunate and
[u]spiritually prosperous [v](in the state in which the born-again child of God
enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his
outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for
being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
11 Blessed (happy, [w]to be envied, and [x]spiritually
prosperous—[y]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation,
regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and
persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.
12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven
is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
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