Blog - The Beatitudes

During Sunday’s sermon, we learned that God called Joseph prosperous, even as his life circumstances had deteriorated to slavery and imprisonment.  

How could God say he was prospering in those situations?  God’s meaning of prosperity is different than the world’s meaning of prosperity.  His meaning of prosperity is filled with God’s presence, His anointing, joy, peace, satisfaction, grace, and favor.  And yes, His blessing can bring happiness that cannot be understood by the world’s mindset.

Jesus teaches this as He opens the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.
Matthew 5 AMPC
5 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—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 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, spiritually prosperous—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 spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God 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, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—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, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the 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 enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (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, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—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.
Some of these situations that Jesus calls blessed include life challenges that could be hard to bear.  All of them involve seeking God from the heart, choosing faith, and trusting in His goodness.

Q:  In what ways has God blessed you, regardless of your circumstances?

Q: What blessings or favor have we maybe not noticed or discerned?

Prayer:  Lord, thank You that your presence is with us.  We are grateful for Your friendship, favor, prosperity, growth, and blessing.  Draw us to yourself and lead us in the way that leads further into your will and your ways.  Grant us the strength and the grace to follow You and to be obedient.  Amen.