To Be Happy | Dr. Stephen G. Tan

Devotional

Day 1: True happiness is found in Christ's Beatitudes.

Jesus taught on a mountainside that true happiness is not about possessions or circumstances but about the condition of the heart and the hope of the coming kingdom. These Beatitudes outline eight inward qualities that prepare a soul to live for eternity and experience present joy despite earthly trials. Embracing this eternal perspective reshapes daily priorities so happiness flows from relationship with God rather than temporary pleasures. [02:19]

Matthew 5:1-12 NKJV
1 And seeing the multitudes, 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 are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Reflection: Which one Beatitude most challenges the way you pursue happiness, and what one concrete habit will you practice this week to cultivate that heart condition?

Day 2: Humility before God opens the kingdom.

You must learn to see your spiritual poverty and depend on the Lord rather than your gifts, achievements, or goodness. Admitting inability to save yourself is the posture that leads you to seek the Savior and secures your place in God’s kingdom, bringing deep joy. Humility is not denial of giftedness but reliance on God’s strength through those gifts. [08:05]

Matthew 5:3 NKJV
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection: In which area of life have you been leaning on your own ability instead of God? Name that area and choose one specific action this week (a confession, a prayer, or a small practical surrender) that demonstrates dependence on the Lord.

Day 3: God comforts those who mourn and repent.

Sorrow that recognizes loss or sin opens the door for God’s comforting presence and the hope of resurrection and restoration. Whether grieving a loved one or grieving over personal sin, true mourning brings repentance and the assurance that God forgives, wipes away tears, and will make all things right. This comfort produces a deep, lasting happiness rooted in divine mercy and future reunion. [13:38]

Matthew 5:4 NKJV
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted."

Reflection: Is there a sorrow—over loss or a secret sin—that you have avoided facing? Identify it and take one concrete step this week toward healing or repentance (pray, confess to a trusted believer, or seek pastoral counsel); which step will you take?

Day 4: Gentle humility trusts God and inherits earth.

Meekness is a humble strength that treats others with kindness, resists vengefulness, and rests in God’s final judgment and reward. Rather than fighting every slight, a meek person lets God handle wrongs, values eternal inheritance over temporary wins, and preserves relationships and witness. Practicing meekness brings peace now and promises future vindication and reward. [20:56]

Matthew 5:5 NKJV
"Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."

Reflection: Think of a recent hurt you wanted to avenge; write its name and decide one concrete way you will release that desire for revenge this week (stop pursuing a complaint, pray for the person, or entrust the matter to God in a short daily prayer).

Day 5: Hungering for holiness brings true satisfaction.

A genuine appetite for righteousness leads to a clear conscience, spiritual fulfillment, and the certainty that God will set things right in the end. Pursuing holiness means seeking personal transformation, not just external conformity, and will satisfy the soul more deeply than any fleeting approval or success. Staying faithful in righteousness, even amid mockery, aligns you with God’s eternal purposes and brings lasting joy. [24:16]

Matthew 5:6 NKJV
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

Reflection: Which spiritual habit (Bible study, confession, worship, service, or accountability) would most deepen your hunger for righteousness? Commit to one habit to practice daily for seven days and specify exactly when and how you will do it.

Sermon Summary

Driving through remote Laguna villages, I was struck by simple joy—children crafting parols from plastic spoons and bottles, playing ball on dusty roads, present with each other. It raised an honest question: if they can be happy with so little, why do we struggle with happiness even with more? Jesus answers in Matthew 5 by turning happiness inside out. Real happiness is not found in places, possessions, or circumstances, but in a heart aligned with the coming kingdom. The Beatitudes are eight inner qualities that form a soul capable of joy, even in hardship, because it lives toward eternity.

“Poor in spirit” is the doorway—an honest helplessness that stops performing and starts depending. Only those who know they need a Savior can rest in a secured future with God. “Those who mourn” includes our grief over sin and our grief in loss; in Christ, sorrow is not a dead end but a road to comfort and resurrection hope. “The meek” are not weak but settled; they refuse revenge because God will judge and reward, and so they let go of hollow wins to gain the earth with Christ. Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” live with a clean conscience and a future where holiness prevails—God will fill what they seek. “The merciful” refuse to be amateur prosecutors; they remember the mercy they themselves live on, and they give it away. “Pure in heart” is single-minded devotion—not chasing ambience or applause, but God Himself; such people actually see God. “Peacemakers” choose witness over winning, confident that nothing escapes God’s eyes; they carry the family resemblance of the Son. And “those persecuted for righteousness” can rejoice, not because pain is pleasant, but because the reward is real, and the story is bigger than this moment.

From a widow’s tears mixed with hope, to a golfer scammed yet grateful the child wasn’t dying, to my own decision not to explode over plastic in calamari—each picture reminded me: happiness grows where the heart rests in the King and His kingdom. Don’t live trapped by the world’s expectations; live for the eternal win. Happy are those who live for Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility opens the kingdom’s door. An honest poverty of spirit silences our inner self-advocate and moves us to receive grace rather than prove worth. This posture doesn’t degrade human dignity; it rightly re-centers it in God’s mercy. Security in eternity breeds joy in the present because acceptance is no longer self-authored. [04:35]
2. Sorrow becomes joy through repentance. Godly mourning faces sin without excuses and turns toward the One who forgives and restores. Real comfort comes not by numbing pain but by naming it before Christ and receiving His cleansing. Even grief in death bends toward hope when resurrection is our horizon. [11:04]
3. Meekness trusts God’s final justice. Meekness is strength submitted, not strength denied; it refuses to let bitterness become our strategy. When we release our demand to settle scores, we entrust our story to the Judge who rewards rightly. That future inheritance frees us from small, costly wins today. [15:47]
4. Pursue righteousness to be truly satisfied. A clean conscience is lighter than any success we could carry. Holiness is not grim duty—it is alignment with the world God is bringing, where righteousness prevails. Seeking it now anticipates that future and steadies the heart against cynicism. [24:16]
5. Peacemaking protects your witness. Not every offense deserves a public war; some require a quiet trust that God sees and vindicates. Choosing peace isn’t passivity—it’s stewardship of the testimony God has entrusted to you. Sons and daughters resemble their Father when they build bridges, not bonfires. [39:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (NKJV)
Matthew 5:1–12
1 And seeing the multitudes, 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 are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Observation questions

Read verse 3. What concrete signs in a person’s life show they are “poor in spirit” rather than merely humble in appearance? [04:35]
Read verse 4. How does the text link mourning with being “comforted”? What kinds of mourning does the Beatitude appear to include (personal loss, sorrow over sin, or both)? [11:04]
Read verse 5 together with verse 10. How does “meekness” relate to the promise to “inherit the earth” and to the wider picture of kingdom reward? What did the golfer story illustrate about meek responses to being wronged? [15:47]
Read verse 9. What does the text say peacemakers will be called, and how does the calamari story show why peacemaking can protect a Christian witness? [39:50]

Interpretation questions (third-person, objective)

How does identifying as “poor in spirit” change a person’s posture toward assurance, evangelism, and daily dependence on God? [04:35]
What is the theological link between godly mourning (repentance or grief over loss) and the promise of comfort? How does that shape the church’s pastoral practice? [11:04]
In what practical ways does belief in God’s final judgment free someone from pursuing immediate revenge or hollow victories in relationships, work, and reputation? [15:47]
What does “pure in heart” imply about the relationship between inward motives and outward worship or spiritual disciplines? How should that affect corporate and private spiritual life? [32:30]

Application questions (specific, personal)

Humility opens the kingdom’s door. When was the last time you tried to prove your worth instead of depending on Christ? What is one concrete step you will take this week to practice being “poor in spirit” (for example: honest confession, asking for prayer, choosing humility in a specific situation)? [04:35]
Sorrow becomes joy through repentance. Is there a recurring sin or secret sorrow you’ve been minimizing rather than naming before God or a trusted friend? Who will you tell and what first step of repentance will you take this week? [11:04]
Meekness trusts God’s final justice. Think of a recent situation where you wanted to get even or demand your rights. What would choosing meekness look like in that same situation now? What boundaries (if any) should you still set to protect yourself while refusing bitterness? [15:47]
Pursue righteousness to be truly satisfied. Which daily habit most steals your appetite for holiness (social media, entertainment, idle time)? Pick one replacement habit (Scripture reading, silence, accountability) to try for the next 30 days. How will you measure progress? [24:16]
Mercy and peacemaking protect witness. Who is one person you can show practical mercy to this week (forgiveness, a kind word, tangible help)? Who is one situation where choosing peace rather than a public confrontation would better honor Christ and preserve your testimony? Be specific about what you will say or do. [27:28]
Persecution and eternal perspective. Is there an area where following Christ costs popularity or invites criticism? How will you remind yourself of the promised reward so that temporary opposition does not rob you of joy? Name one spiritual discipline or Scripture you will use this month to keep that perspective. [41:32]

(Use the Bible reading to begin your time together. Allow the group to read aloud Matthew 5:1–12, then work through the observation, interpretation, and application questions. Keep answers concrete and personal so each person can leave with one specific step to take.)

Sermon Clips

If anyone thinks they are personally worthy to enter the kingdom because they are good in their own eyes, they are gravely mistaken. These type of people think too highly of themselves. They are not poor in spirit. They think that they are good enough, so they do not humbly look for a Savior, and therefore they will not have access to the kingdom of heaven. Well, on the other hand, those who are poor in spirit, those who turn to the Savior, acknowledge the need for a Savior, will enter the kingdom of heaven, and therefore they can be very happy in this life because their eternal future is set and secured. [00:07:03] (45 seconds) #humbledependence

My friends, we don't always have to fight to win here on earth because we've already been assured victory and all that comes with it in the next life. Christians will not only enter the kingdom, they will inherit the new heaven and the new earth, as I've often shared before. Why fight for the scraps of this earth when we have been promised the glories of heaven? This truth should help us cultivate meekness in our hearts, but also encourage those who are meek, that God will make it up to them. So that from both perspectives, we will be happy. [00:21:03] (45 seconds) #eternalvictory

When we know that in Christ, we will win in the end, we don't have to aim for temporary wins now. And this reality and truth should make us happy. People think they will be happy when they win. But so many hollow victories in this life that when you win in the process, you lose your friends, family, integrity. You lose your relationship with God and you lose your eternal rewards in the process. That is no win at all. That is a temporary win. We are happy when we remember that we live this life for the eternal win in Christ. [00:21:48] (49 seconds) #eternalwin

The fourth beatitude says that, number four, happy are those who seek righteousness. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness have a spiritual appetite for personal righteousness. These people desire and seek personal holiness. Now, how does living a life of holiness make you happier? Well, first of all, your conscience is clear. And when your conscience is clear, you are happy. You don't have to worry that something that you did in the past will somehow come out and embarrass you. If you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to be afraid of. [00:22:44] (45 seconds) #poorinspirit

Sometimes they think it is the music or the friends that surround them or the ambience that they are part of or the situation or the circumstance that will make them truly happy and satisfied of soul. But all those things are temporary joys at best. What Christians have forgotten is that we find lasting joy when we know God through our single pursuit of Him. In Him, we find purpose and satisfaction. In this life. Happy are those who pursue a desire to know God. And in turn, those who seek to know Him will find Him. That is the promise of God. It's just that most people do not put in the effort. [00:32:39] (47 seconds) #hungerforrighteousness

They do not look in the mirror to self-reflect and identify the sins in their lives that they have to work on. And then they wonder why God seems very distant to them. They are not pure in heart. That's why they come up short, and they don't find spiritual satisfaction. But my friends, the Bible tells us those who pursue to know God with a single-minded devotion to love and serve Him will find Him, and they will experience a joy and happiness that is so present even in spite of the difficulties you're going through or the challenges that you may be facing. [00:34:19] (43 seconds) #seekgodnotpleasure

But in this, we can find true happiness. We can take heart knowing that when we enter the kingdom of heaven, the Bible tells us, great will be our reward. When we are persecuted for the Lord's sake, we can be happy knowing that we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered more than any other righteous person has suffered unfairly. Even the Old Testament prophets call him the suffering servant. We are to be like the master. [00:42:39] (39 seconds) #pursuegodsheart

The great prophets of old, in fact, also suffered for doing the work of the Lord. But their happiness and their assurance, as ours should be, is that great will be theirs and our reward. The temporary suffering we experience for the Lord is something we can find joy in because we are promised by Jesus that we will be even more greatly rewarded in heaven forever. And what is this temporary life compared to the glories of eternity? And when this truth is at the forefront of your mind, you can be happy even if there are people who are persecuting you. [00:43:18] (46 seconds) #joyinpersecution

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