Happiness: December 22, 2010

December 22. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22, 2010

HAPPINESS

DEFINITION:

The quality or state of being delighted, pleased or glad; good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

SCRIPTURE:

“And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” Proverbs 16:20.

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” Proverbs 3:13

“But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” Proverbs 14:21

“But happy is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” Proverbs 15:13.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many times recently we have commented to one another about how many people we see and talk to that are unhappy. Some people just look cranky and you wonder if every day is just a bad day for them. We are living in a society where happiness does not abound. We think we understand why some people just do not know how to be happy. If they do not know Jesus as their Savior they have no hope and no support, so how can they be happy?

Everyone has things going on in their lives that can be real downers and it is easy to let these things get you down. If you focus only on the down things of life it will make you cranky and unhappy. Happy people do not have it any better than anyone else but they focus on the good things in life. Everyone has bad days with seemingly bad things happening to them, but everyone has something to be thankful for so it really depends on “what you focus on.”

Look at the verses we have listed above from Proverbs. These verses are a short outline of what sets apart a happy person from an unhappy one. Happy is the man or woman who trusts in the Lord, keeps the law, (God’s commandments) has mercy on the poor and who finds wisdom and gains understanding (through studying God’s Word).

Are you happy? If not have you asked yourself the question, “WHY NOT?”

The starting point to find happiness is to trust in the Lord. Whether the non- believer understands it or not, there is a void in everyone’s life that only God can fill. People search in all the wrong places and try the wrong things attempting to fill that void. Knowing your sins are forgiven and that you are saved from the penalty of your sins brings peace and contentment which in turn brings happiness to life.

Happiness comes to our lives when we are faithful in studying God’s Word. This gives us wisdom, understanding and knowledge of how we are to live our lives in obedience to what God’s Word teaches us. This keeps us from sinful things and brings true happiness to us.

Sometimes we have so much on our minds we do not take time just to think about how much we have to be happy about. Some of the happiest people we have ever met were in Nairobi Kenya. These dear people had very little material “things.” They lived in what we called “shanty town homes” with no water, no electricity and very little furniture if any. But every time the church doors opened, they were there. Some would literally walk for hours and never complained. The churches were always filled to capacity and many were standing outside looking through the open windows and cracks.

When they sang, their voices radiated their love for God. The smile on their faces showed how happy they were to be worshipping God. And when we talked to them their smiles showed the joy in their hearts for all that God had given them. Their focus was on God and what they did have, not on what they did not have.

True happiness is not based on circumstances. True happiness is based on our relationship with God. When you go to a store, look at the faces of people. Do they radiate happiness? When you go to church, count how many people have a smile on their face. You may be surprised.

We urge you to look to the Lord and let Him fill you with a spirit of happiness in your heart every day. Why should we not? Jesus has promised to be with us in all that we do. In addition it is Christmas week and in just a few days we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior ---- JESUS!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the true happiness that I have in my heart because I know You as my Savior. Help me not to let the pressures and events of this day destroy the happiness that You have given me and my family. Thank You for my salvation and the assurance of spending an eternity with You.