Are You Happy?
Today’s Passage Psalm 139 – 146
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:15)
Yesterday, I was researching some ideas for a new gospel tract for the church. I came across one that really caught my attention. On the front cover it had a picture of a smily face with the question, “Are You Happy?” I thought that this tract would be a great attention getter for others as well; but I wondered, is it biblical? I’m not talking about the contents of the tract, which is doctrinally sound. I am talking about the concept of happiness. What does the Bible really say about happiness? I had always been taught that God’s people can be joyful, but joy is deeper that happiness. In other words, you can be joyful even when you’re not happy. I suppose that may be true at times, but I did a little more research and discovered that the Bible very clearly teaches that God’s children should be a happy people. Don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that there will be times in our lives when we are sad; and to some degree I think feeling sad is good for us and part of our complete emotional makeup. But, for the most part, we who are saved ought to be the happiest people on the planet. Why? Because we have an awful lot to be happy about.
Consider what the Word of God says about happiness:
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17)
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. (Psalm 128:1&2)
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: (Psalm 146:5)
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (Psalm 3:13)
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. (Proverbs 14:21)
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. (Proverbs 28:14)
I could list some more verses, but I think you get the idea. Why then are so many Christians miserable, discontented people? Why are we always so negative? It’s no wonder, we are failing terribly at reaching the world with the gospel. Why should the lost world want what we claim to have with our doctrine, but fail to demonstrate in a happy, contented life. I don’t think happiness is all that elusive. I think it can be found in a right relationship with God. By that I mean that you are saved and yielded to the Spirit of God, surrendered to His will. If you are saved and still doing things your way, you are not going to be happy, because you will have an inner turmoil going on inside of you as God the Holy Spirit works to bring you into submission.
By the way, I am ordering the tract. I just hope that the people giving it out will have a smile on their face when they do so.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Amen. I often have to remind myself to be happy when I drive the bus. I need to remember why I drive the bus.
OK this might blow some of you away. I am a very happy person almost all the time. I sing to myself alot. I chuckle inside alot. I take time to induldge my senses like smell, touch and hearing which makes me smile. There are a few people who know that my silliness is actually happiness; it just bubbles outta me differently then most people expect. I think Paul said it best; I know how to abound and how to be abased. My old Pastor used to say this all the time; “Things are not always as they seem to be” I don’t think I’m any different then most people until most people tell me how different I actually am. OK then…. I’m off to see the wizard, the wounderful wizard of OZ, why? Because, Because, Because, Because, Because; Because of the wounderful things he does. Thank You Jesus for making me different!!!