True blessedness

We like to take pride in certain parts of our lives. If we're athletic, we take pride in our athletic accomplishments. If we're professionally successful, we take pride in those successes. If our children are healthy and happy, then we take pride in that.

In Luke 11:27 (KJV), someone tries to brag on Jesus for his family lineage. The person says,

Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

But Jesus responds (verse 28, KJV),

Rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The message is simple, but very difficult to apply to our lives. Taking pride in earthly matters starts us down a slippery slope of sin. Essentially, the only thing that should matter is obedience toward God. Let us remember those words in verse 28 to focus our prayers.