Today we will look briefly at three more of the keys Jesus gave us in Matthew 5:1-12 to unlock and give us access into the blissful state of blessings that await those who enter through these gates. The fourth key is to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the righteousness of God. What happens when you are hungry or thirsty? You go after food and drink and partake until you’re satisfied, so to hunger and thirst for God should bring us to His table to dine. Key number five is that of showing mercy. The Greek word here is teaching us that we should be compassionate in word and deed; God shows us His mercy through the divine grace He has and showers upon us day after day as He looks beyond our faults and sees our need. We likewise should be quick to “cut some slack” to our fellowmen who have needs or stumble along the way; no, this is not approval of someone’s wrongs, but showing compassion in love despite them! And key number six says, “Blessed are the pure in heart …” That is the clean in heart, not merely an external makeover that cannot penetrate the internal thoughts, feelings, desires, or emotions, but a clean that begins with these on the internal and then works its way to the external! The Psalmist asks the question, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?” And His answer, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart …” Psalm 24:3-4. You cannot be vacillating back and forth if you want the fullness of the blessing of the Lord.
More Keys To Happiness
-By Rose Hill
Happy are you if you hunger and thirst,
And always put your Savior first.
For if you refuse to drift with the tide,
You will surely always be satisfied.
Happy are you when mercy you give,
To those who in great trials live.
For mercy will return to you,
Just when you are feeling blue.
Happy are you if your heart is pure,
For then you can really, really be sure.
At the end of this life when your soul is free,
You will be able your God to see.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.