Another of what are called the Beatitudes, those verses where Jesus declared the things that seem horrid on earth to have blessings in the Kingdom of God. In a conquered land, led by those who did not believe in God, treated as second-class humans, it was easy to believe that the lot they were living was eternal. Jesus said it was not. He declared that the suffering experienced by His followers was only for a time and would yield something incredible.

Seriously! The Amplified Bible shares the understanding of the original language translated as “blessed” here:

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 …

Whoa! Wait, what?

Those who are jeered at for doing the right things will be happy and enviably fortunate? Even when they feel like they’re all messed up and should just stop trying?

Yes.

See, Believer, we must stop thinking in only the here-and-now. We think in eternal terms. We see past what’s happening in this moment and make choices based on the outcome once this life is over.

Jesus was saying that when we’re picked on, laughed at, called names for living in right standing before God, choosing to do right in every situation, we ARE enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous. Our physical and emotional self may not FEEL so prosperous, but our spiritual self – that part of us that will live forever – is ecstatic, growing and maturing.

As a believer in Jesus, one who has accepted His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for all your sins, you hold God’s favor and salvation. It is all over you. That is what gives you righteousness. That is what you can and should revel in. Regardless of the outward conditions, you still hold God’s favor and salvation. You should find vast satisfaction in that truth. That is what will sustain you through the things said to and about you for being who God created you to be.

Let’s slow down long enough today to take a long look at our place in the Kingdom, and determine deep in our hearts how we’re going to feel about the favor of God and His salvation. Let’s decide how we’re going to respond when others don’t understand why we act so “weird.” Then, let’s get out there and do it.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.