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Proverbs 16:20 - Is True Happiness Possible?

Proverbs 16:20 (NKJV) He who heeds the word 
wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the 
LORD, happy is he.  

Proverbs 16:20 (NLT) Those who listen to 
instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will 
be joyful.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Ive never met someone who said, I 
really dont want to be happy. I want to be 
miserable. A few people might feel that way, but most 
of us want to be happy.  
   Jesus understood our basic human desire 
for happiness. Thus, He made happiness the 
subject of some of the first promises He ever 
offered. We find those promises in what we call the 
Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Here, Jesus describes how we 
can be blessed or happy. 
   Certainly, this world isnt going to 
make us happy. There are people who have 
everything supposedly necessary for contentment and 
fulfillment but still feel empty. 
   In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us how to 
experience personal happiness - real and lasting 
happiness. Yet, the happiness the Bible speaks of is 
different from our cultures definition of 
happiness. 
   Happiness in our culture depends largely 
on good things taking place in our lives. In 
other words, if the bills are paid and the skies 
are blue, then were happy. But if were 
facing some kind of challenge, then were 
unhappy. Happiness depends on what is happening in 
our lives. But the happiness the Bible offers us 
is something different. 
   We can translate the word blessed, 
which Jesus used in Matthew 5, as happy. It 
comes from the Greek word makrios, which was a 
description of the Mediterranean island of Cypress. 
Because of its geographical location, balmy climate, 
and fertile soil, the Greeks believed they could 
find everything they needed for happiness and 
fulfillment there. It was a self-contained happiness. 
   In the same way, the happiness that God 
has in store for us doesnt depend on what is 
happening to us externally. This means that we can be 
happy regardless of our circumstances. [Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 5:3 - What It Means to Be Poor in 
Spirit. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200713-0830.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/