19 JUNE
Finding true happiness
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 5:3
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:1–12
The desire of happiness is natural to man, but all are bewildered and disappointed in the present, except those who are enriched and taught by the Spirit of God to seek it by Christ Jesus. He came down from heaven that by his doctrine in life and death he might correct our mistakes concerning happiness and show us wherein it consists, how it is to be attained, and remove every obstacle that would deprive us of the possession. Full happiness is not upon earth, it is only to be expected in the kingdom of heaven, and true happiness in any degree is restrained to them who by his grace are brought into his appointed way to that kingdom. His people are happy here in comparison with others and shall be happy for ever. They derive their title from his blood, their temper and characters from his Spirit. These heavenly and gracious tempers are enumerated here, but they are never found singly or separate. Whoever has truly one, has received the seeds of them all, though they are not equally called out to lively exercise at all times and in all persons. Whoever is entirely destitute of any one, is destitute of the rest. May the Spirit of God help us to examine ourselves by this test for our consolation, conviction, and instruction in righteousness.
FOR MEDITATION: But I find among these illiterate and uninformed people, some who are truly wise, wise unto salvation. They know themselves, they know the Lord. The know the summum bonum, the true happiness of man, wherein it consists and how it is to be obtained. They have learnt to taste the goodness of God in their brown bread, to be content and satisfied with a low estate—to cast all their cares upon God, and to be assured that he careth for them. They know how to obtain an audience of the King of kings. They have more in hand than the world can either give or take away.151
John Newton to William Wilberforce, 19 June 1794
SERMON: MATTHEW 5:3 [1/3]
Milo 