Volume 5 Issue 3 July 1999
by Steve Fouty
on this earth. This is true since happiness is a feeling of joy, satisfaction, or
pleasure usually caused by being or doing well. When you wish someone a
happy birthday, you send them your desire for a pleasing, enjoyable day.
Often, however, as we look for things to make us happy, we choose earthly
possessions that can be bought, or people to keep us company. There is
nothing wrong with earthly possessions and friends, but if chosen alone
with no regard for God and spiritual things, our happiness is short lived
and empty.
God has given every person advice and instruction as to how to and not
to obtain happiness. The wicked person limits their happiness to this life
on earth. (Psalm 17:14-15; Luke 16:19-31) Solomon, who was the wisest
man of his day, realized that earthly happiness was vanity (Eccl 2:1; 7:6).
This means that in comparison with the eternity that each of us faces, this
life and the insignificant things we are involved in will disappear. Matthew
6:19-21 teaches that we are to lay up treasure in heaven where thieves can't
steal it, moths can't eat it, and rust can't destroy it. We all recognize that
things that made us happy just a few years ago, are probably gone, or have
lost some of their luster.
The happiness described in the following scriptures, will not fade away
and disappear as is the case with earthly things. Job 5:17 “Happy is the
man that the Lord correcteth...” This seems contradicting but correction
now, will save your soul from Hell, and make you happy throughout
eternity. Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the
man that getteth understanding.” This isn't fleshly wisdom that passeth
away year by year, but knowledge of God and his conditional salvation. 1
Peter 3:14 “... if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye ...” This is
true because of Christ's promise to reward us for faithful service (Matthew
10:32-33). 1 Peter 4:12-19 portrays the picture of eternal happiness with
Christ in Heaven, only if we are willing to be partakers in his sufferings here
on earth.
Truly, happiness is something to be desired! How we go about getting it
is the most important question to be answered. You may choose to seek
carnal, fleshly happiness, in exchange for your soul, or like Moses, the
Apostle Paul, and many others today, choose to serve God by doing his
commandments, and lay hold on that eternal happiness in Heaven
(Matthew 16:26; Hebrews 11:6,25).
Please ask yourself a serious question, and answer it honestly, as you
consider your life toward your creator. “Am I really happy with my life?” If
your answer is no, or maybe even an empty yes, please allow happiness of
serving God to fill this void.
