Why are we so happy?
It’s not because we have solved all our problems and met every challenge we’ve faced. It’s not because we never face illness and tragedy. It can’t be because we’re thrilled with our government. It certainly can’t be because the world’s economy is so good.
So let me give you five—five reasons why Christians are happy, or what the Bible calls, “Blessed.”
The doubters say that Christians are happy because they are deceived and confused. They say that if Christians understood their situation, they’d be as unhappy as the rest of the world. And certainly, if I was a doubter, skeptical of Christ and critical of God’s Word, that’s what I’d say too. It sure beats admitting one is wrong. Read these survey results and you will see Bible-believing Christians are indeed happier! http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/80-peoples-faith-flavor-influences-how-they-see-themselves?q=happiness
FIRST, WE KNOW THAT GOD IS GOOD AND THAT HE LOVES US.
The God of the Holy Bible is not limited (He is all-powerful), mean-spirited (He is full of compassion), or inconsistent (He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!). He is good, and He is good all the time. Here’s proof:
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who
trust in Him! Nahum 1:7 Good and upright is the Lord… Psalm 25:8
O Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8,9.
There is none good but one, that is God… Matthew 19:17
Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Romans 2:4
SECOND WE KNOW THAT THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS, OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN, FORGOTTEN, FOREVER!
For “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved!” (John 3:17). “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “There is therefore now, no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).
Psychologists and counselors tell us that that what people need more than anything else is a fresh start. Christ has given that to us! By paying the penalty for our sins, He has set us free.
“I’m free from the fear of tomorrow.
I’m free from the guilt of the past.
For I’ve traded my shackles, for a glorious song!
I’m free, praise the Lord, free at last!”
Not only are we free from the guilt of sin, but in Christ there is victory over sin! “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory .” “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ...” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
THIRD WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL DIRECT OUR LIVES, SUPPLY OUR NEEDS, AND NEVER LEAVE US. Our security is not found in uncertain riches. But our Heavenly Father is watching over us.
Here’s what Jesus said:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:25-34).
Indeed the Prophet Jeremiah was so right, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23. Isaiah said it this way, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
FOURTH WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS A GOOD AND PERFECT PLAN FOR OUR LIVES. When we surrender our lives to His control, we find perfect peace and contentment.
Our happiness does not rest in relationships with people. Nor do we depend on uncertain riches to make us happy.
Our strength comes from the Lord. Our direction comes from His Word and His Spirit. And His will does not lead us where His grace cannot keep us. He has never failed us!
“For I know the thoughts [the plans that I have for you] that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14.)
FIFTH WE KNOW THAT HEAVEN IS OUR DESTINY.
No matter how deep the trial, no matter how long the journey, no matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how grievous the pain, one of these days the children of God will be Safe in the Arms of Jesus! And “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!”
Heaven is real, and it is really wonderful! I haven’t located heaven’s exact address in the universe, but I have located heaven’s description in God’s Word. It is a place where there will be no more tears, no more death, neither sorrow, no crying, and no pain! (Revelation 21:4)
Heaven is cheap at any price. It is forever at home with the Lord. It is peace and security. It is everlasting life. It is the blessed home of the sanctified.
It is worth more than money (ask poor Lazarus and the multitudes of earth’s poor who now are rich in heaven treasure—a treasure that moth and rust cannot corrupt).
It is worth more than pleasure (ask the rich man who had everything in life and is now suffering the loss of everything and is being tormented in hell’s flame).
It is worth more than the opinions of the world (ask those who were mocked, and scorned, and ridiculed by this world, because they were different, looked different, acted different, and lived different. Today they are reigning with Christ in glory).
It is worth more than life itself (ask the millions who have been martyred for their faith.)
I SAY, HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! I’M SO GLAD I’M A CHILD OF THE KING! I LOVE THIS WAY! AND I’M GLAD I’VE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS!
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