February 11, 2016
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12
Yesterday’s thoughts were ones of unhappiness. Today, let’s remove the “un” and see what pleasure there can be with this attitude. The noted verse is what our Lord desires for all of us. After all, wasn’t King Solomon or another wise individual accurate with their thought: “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” Think of the various ways we can be happy.
Start with James 5:13b: “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” The best one may be “How Great Thou Art” or even “Amazing Grace.” Simply by coincidence did I discover this verse: “. . . bring happiness to the wife he has married.” Just a little hint for the gentlemen with a certain day this Sunday! We are happy when something misplaced or presumed lost is found. It makes us rejoice like the shepherd in Matthew 18: “And if he finds it, (the lost sheep), truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”
The Living Bible, in Psalm 16, records “I am always thinking of the Lord and because He is so near, I never need to stumble or to fall. Heart, soul and mind are filled with joy.” A commentator made me reflect happiness is a good feeling yet “Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. . . As we understand the future He has for us, we will experience joy.” Perhaps we can agree with the importance of joy, but later in the Psalms, David records: “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”I feel both attitudes please the Lord and this is what matters to Him. The answer for you may be simply your perspective on this theme. However; know as in all circumstances, ONLY God knows what is best for each of us so perhaps you can lift this up to Him in prayer.
Prayer: Help us to remember, o Lord, to be joyful is to be happy with the one essential in life, we follow Jesus no matter what is occurring within us. In Your Name, Amen.
Jeff Spang