Holy Happiness - Part 8

Happiness & Suffering

In this series we have been looking at Holy Happiness – that deep-down presence within us of joy, peace and contentment that the world cannot take away; a true sense of blessedness.  We’ve learned how to have Holy Happiness and have looked at examples of some who did.

Last session we began looking at issues that we might expect would (or at least could) negatively impact our Holy Happiness.  The issue last session was discipline.

This session I want to spend time examining another issue in life that we might seriously anticipate would rob us of all our sense of blessedness.  And that is: suffering.

It’s hard to imagine that we would describe ourselves as happy while experiencing suffering.  But for the Christian, this is exactly the case – or at least, it can be and should be!

Suffering…not one of our favorite words!  Let me be honest with you: I hate suffering!  Suffering stinks!  I really don’t like to experience it; and I certainly don’t like watching someone else go through it either.  Even people I don’t like all that much, I don’t get any pleasure watching them go through suffering.  Because I’ve been through some, I know how horrible suffering can be.

So let me say it again, but this time as a question.  Can you imagine describing yourself as happy while experiencing suffering?  Is it even possible?

Peter thought it was.  He should know.  He certainly experienced suffering.  So let’s see what he wrote about it.

Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

In sufferings (notice it’s plural; meaning multiple sufferings), rejoice!??  Are you kidding me?  No.  Peter’s not kidding at all.  He suffered because he was a follower of Jesus.  He knew about suffering.  Yet, he is the one who wrote these words – this command.  Let’s look at his words in some detail and see if we might be able to rejoice when suffering.

I.    First word I want to look at is… when.

“Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises…”  I wish Peter had not used the word when.  I would like it so much better if he had used a word like: if.

If leaves the possibility open that I might not experiencing suffering.  “If suffering arises…”  Sounds a lot better, doesn’t it?!!

But Peter did not use the word if; he clearly wrote when.  The King James Version states it this way: “…fiery trial which is to try you…”  Same meaning; it is going to happen.  Peter knows that suffering is coming into your life and my life (into every life).  It’s not a matter of if; only of when.  Sorry!

II.  Second, let’s look at the phrase… fiery ordeal.

A text note in my Bible says this phrase literally means: the burning.  Another translation says fiery trial, and has a text note suggesting the phrase means severe testing.  Whichever phrase you use, seems the same to me – real, intense suffering!

Peter is not talking about a splinter in your finger or a bill paid two days late.  He’s not talking about guys sitting through chick-flick movies, nor wives enduring football season.  He’s not talking about long commutes, crowded subways, or hangovers the next morning.

He is talking about suffering!  Fiery ordeals…the burning…severe testing…Peter is talking about real, life-impacting, challenging to the core…suffering!

And he has already stated that it is going to happen.  He even tells us why.

III. Third, look at the word… test.

The reason Peter gives for the severe, burning ordeals is “…to test you…”  Other versions say, “…to prove you…”

Isn’t that what a test does?  It proves something about you.

A math test proves if you get the concepts and can do the problems.  A history test proves if you know the dates, persons and events.  A long marriage proves your commitment.  A faithful, obedient walk with Christ proves your love and dedication.  Sometimes good things in life prove – or demonstrate – some truth about us.  So does suffering.

Peter says that suffering is a test.  It is your response to the test that proves something (demonstrates some truth) about you.

So how should we respond to suffering?  Peter next gives us two ways we are to respond to suffering; one is a negative command, the other a positive one.

IV. In this next phrase, Peter tells us what NOT to do in response to suffering.  After our discussion so far this should be obvious, but here it is… don’t be surprised.

“…when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.”

When you experience suffering, don’t be surprised!  It is going to come into your life, so don’t be surprised!  Sometimes life stinks and sometimes it’s painful and hurts really bad and deep; when this happens to you don’t be surprised!

Peter reminds us that our suffering is not “something unusual.”  This means suffering is usual.  Suffering is common.  So don’t be surprised.

We may be shocked when the doctor says, “Cancer!”  We may not be expecting the sudden trial that overtakes us.  We may never have seen the test coming.

But when such happens in your life, don’t be surprised that suffering has come knocking on your door.  Don’t be caught off-guard.  It happens.  It is going to happen.

Important truth: When suffering comes, if you ARE surprised then you ARE NOT prepared.

Thankfully, Peter does not end with this command of how NOT to respond to suffering.  He next tells us how we ARE to respond.

V.  One word sums it up… rejoice!

“Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” (vs. 13)

In fact, twice Peter says to rejoice!  One is for now, and one for later.  Let’s look at the now.

a.       As you experience suffering, you are to respond with rejoicing.  Not a head-in-the-sand, unrealistic, blinded refusal to acknowledge what is happening in your life.  But an honest, “Yes it hurts; it’s really bad.  But deep down, I still know I am blessed – that God loves me and that He is still in control and will do what is best for me, always!”

It is faith in God – a total dependency on His grace, mercy and love – that allows a Christian to rejoice, no matter what is happening.

Peter did not live a care-free, pain-free, happy-go-lucky life!  He was intimately acquainted with suffering.  But he also knew God intimately.  And it was his relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah that allowed him to rejoice, despite (or through) the suffering.

b.      The second time we get to rejoice occurs later… “at the revelation of His glory.”  If we walk with Him, then when Jesus returns and His glory is revealed to all creation, we will rejoice!  I know I will…for several reasons.

First, because there will be no more suffering!  I cannot wait until I am in the place where there are no more tears of sadness; no more disease, pain, sorrow, or suffering of any kind.  Absolutely, yes!  I’ll be rejoicing on that day!

Second, I’ll rejoice at seeing Jesus face to face.  Being able to be with Him, talk with Him, walk with Him; to hear His voice and the love He has for me will certainly be cause for rejoicing.  Like Peter said, I will “rejoice with great joy…”

Third, I will rejoice at the splendor and wonder of that place prepared for me.  Heaven is going to be awesome; totally more than you or I ever dared hope or dream that it might be.  Heaven’s reality is more than we are able to even imagine.  So yes, catch me as I enter through those pearly gates, and you will see me rejoicing!

In that moment, as Christ’s glory is revealed, whatever suffering I am experiencing will immediately, suddenly and completely end!

I don’t think I’ll be the only one rejoicing!

So now, as we complete this session, let me ask a question.  Should suffering cause us to lose any of our Holy Happiness…our sense of blessedness?

Peter would have us know that the answer is, “No!”  That it is possible to have Holy Happiness, even when experiencing suffering.  Indeed, we can rejoice while suffering because we will certainly be rejoicing once it’s done!

Holy Happiness - Part 7

Happiness & Discipline

 

All Christians have available to them a deep-seated joy, peace and contentment…a happiness unknown by the world.  This happiness is more profound and meaningful than plain emotional happiness, for emotions rise and fall as often as the tides at the shore.  Emotional happiness comes and goes – happy one minute, not so much the next.

But the happiness Christians have available is not so transient.  It stays around; in fact, as a Christian walks with Jesus this happiness never leaves nor ebbs away.  I call this: Holy Happiness.

Christians are not immune to trials, problems, struggles and like issues in this life.  Sometimes these things seek to rob us of our Holy Happiness.  Often I’m amazed how quickly we give in to our emotional state, instead of leaning on our permanent state.

So what seeks to rob you of your Holy Happiness?  What are some things in this life that try to take it away from you?  And how should you respond?  Is it even possible to have or maintain Holy Happiness in the face of these issues?

There are several issues in life, common to us all, that we might think would negatively impact our Holy Happiness.  In this, and the next couple of sessions, I want to look at a few of them and see how we can maintain our Holy Happiness when they occur; possibly even increase it!

Issue for this session is: discipline.

Not one of our favorite words!  From the time we are toddlers, we are disciplined.  Our parents disciplined us (if they were good parents).  Teachers disciplined us.  Maybe other adults had oversight of us and would discipline us from time to time.  Life was controlled and we were disciplined regularly.

Did you ever have to stand in the hall?  Have detention?  Or get sent to the principal’s office?  Was it a “happy” experience?  Probably not.

By those situations we have been conditioned to respond a certain way to discipline; from whomever it comes or no matter the circumstances.  We have been conditioned to respond negatively when someone tries to discipline us.

So how do we respond when the one administering the discipline is God?

Too often, too many of us respond in the same way we have become conditioned to respond… with negativity, resentment, sometimes bitterness and often anger.  Is that the proper response to God when He desires to discipline you?

So why do we?  And, what is the proper response?

Now remember, what we are learning is a new way to look at discipline – particularly God’s discipline.  What we are going to learn goes against years of conditioning, so it may not be easy to change your perspective and responses.  But we must try…especially if we want to get the benefit God intends when He disciplines.

Let’s look first at Job 5:17.  Two translations of this verse are below:

 “See how happy the man is God corrects.” (HCSB)

“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth.” (KJV)

Any time the Bible uses words like “See” and “Behold,” it is trying to draw our attention to something important.  In other words: “Pay Attention!” the Bible says.

So, what is it we are to see?

Simply this: the man God corrects is happy!  This doesn’t make any sense.  We know how awful discipline can be.  But again, this is a new perspective: when God disciplines you, the knowledge that He is doing so, or has done so, should elate you!  Your elation comes not from the experience, but from knowing two things about the experience:

(1)   The Reason

Why does God discipline us?  Simple answer: Because He loves us!

Proverbs 3:11-12 teaches us: “Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just a father, the son he delights in.”

Because He loves us – indeed, delights in us – He disciplines us when we need it!

Read Hebrews 12:7-11.  From this passage you will learn another important truth: God does not discipline the lost; He only disciplines His own.

So if you are being disciplined by God, rejoice indeed!  It is proof that you are a member of the family and more importantly, proof that He loves you, delights in you, and wants the best possible for you.  This is the reason He disciplines.

(2)   The Result

The result of God’s discipline is equally amazing.  At least four things we see that God’s discipline accomplishes, or produces, in our lives.

a.      Correcting

We just read that Job 5:17 states that the man who is happy is the one who God corrects.

Why is this true?  Well not only because it shows His love for you; but because His correction helps you walk the path of abundance, blessings, purpose and meaning in this life.

He only disciplines when we need it; and only to the extent that we require.

So if you are getting off the path – veering astray, even if slightly so – isn’t it good to have God come along and guide us back to the right way?  Of course it is!  He corrects us, which helps us be more impactful and effective as His children.

b.      Teaching

Lord, happy in the man You discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. (Psalm 94:12-13)

The second benefit we receive from God’s discipline is His teaching.

In correcting, He leads us back to the right path.  In teaching, He helps us understand and apply a deeper knowledge of Him, His will for our lives, and all the aspects of being a child of His.

Correcting helps us not do wrong, but do right.  Teaching helps us know what right is, why it’s important, and how it all fits together.

Through discipline, God corrects and He teaches us.  Walking the right path, and understanding ever more, should make us happy!

c.       Relieving

“…to give him relief from troubled times…” (Psalm 94:13a)

Notice a key fact in this passage: troubled times are not necessarily times of God’s discipline!  Everybody experiences trouble in this life – at some point, in some way.  Everyone does, whether a Christian or not.

Troubled times are not necessarily times of God’s discipline.  They might be.  Certainly the Scriptures are clear that He can and does use all things for good – for His glory and the advancement of His plan.

But sometimes, troubles are just that…troubles; problems common to man.

What this verse says is really rather remarkable.  God’s discipline gives relief from troubled times!  Sometimes it does so by correcting – getting us back on the right path so we stop experiencing the troubles so much.  Sometimes perhaps through teaching – helping us understand the troubles we are in, or at least helping us endure them.

Whatever the process, God’s discipline brings relief during troubled times.

This is very counter-intuitive.  But if this verse is right, then the next time you are experiencing life’s troubles you should ask for God’s discipline!  Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out for you!

d.      Sustaining

“…until a pit is dug for the wicked…” (Psalm 94:13b)

The benefit of God’s discipline is not so clearly seen in this part of the verse, but it’s there.  The verse speaks of an end to the time of suffering; an end to the time of the wicked being free to wreck havoc.  It implies a day when troubled times will end.

But until that time comes, what is implied is that God’s discipline will sustain us through these days of darkness and wickedness on the earth.

Do you see that?  “…relief…until….”  God’s discipline sustains us while walking through this life.  You could say it keeps us until the day of rejoicing and victory.

So what have we learned?

Should God’s discipline cause us to lose even an iota of our Holy Happiness?  No.  In fact, just the opposite.  Realizing His discipline brings into our lives…

·         Correcting – moving us back to the right path;

·         Teaching – helping us understand more of Him;

·         Relieving – making troubled times more bearable; and,

·         Sustaining – carrying us through to the day of glory;

Should make us…well… Happy!

So instead of discipline robbing of us our Holy Happiness; it adds to it!  Isn’t that remarkable?!  And isn’t that just like God?!!!

Holy Happiness - Part 6

Each session of this series we have asked: What makes you happy?  And, as a Christian: What should make you happy?  This session’s answer may be the most important we have seen.

I want to show you another Biblical example of one who experienced Holy Happiness.  And his name is: Paul.  Let’s catch up with Paul at a time when we might think happiness would be the last thing he was experiencing…his trial in Caesarea.

Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”  Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews, especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies.  Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.” (Acts 26:1-3)

My translation of the Bible records Paul saying: “I consider myself fortunate…”  Instead of “fortunate,” the NASB uses “happy.”  The point is being made that Paul was happy!

He was happy to be standing before King Agrippa…on trial…with the Jews demanding his execution!  What is going on here?

I want to remind you of what has happened recently in Paul’s life.

In Chapter 21, Paul is worshipping in the Temple at Jerusalem and some Jews from the area of Ephesus see him.  Actually, they recognize one of the men with Paul.  This un-named man had been in Ephesus with Paul and had been run out of town with him.  These Jews from Ephesus did not like him teaching about Jesus in Ephesus, and they certainly did not want to see him in the temple at Jerusalem!  So they began to stir up the crowd.

The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together.  They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple complex... they were trying to kill him.” (Acts 21:30-31)

So great was the commotion that the Roman commander in Jerusalem heard the city was “in chaos.”  He took some soldiers and sped into the chaos and took Paul into custody, as the crowd was beating him.

Maybe you remember the story…or parts of it.  Paul was almost scourged by the Romans until he told them he was a Roman citizen.  So instead, they held him overnight and assembled the Sanhedrin the next day to hear what they had against Paul.

The Romans later took Paul to Caesarea by night because of a plot by the Jews to kill him.  He was held there for five days until the High Priests, Ananias, and some other leaders came to Caesarea to present their case against Paul, before the governor Felix.

Felix put off making a decision until Lysias, the commander, could come down from Jerusalem.  Paul remained in prison in Caesarea for two years, until Felix was replaced by Festus.  It took a couple more weeks before Festus decided to wait for King Agrippa to come and hear the case.

“After some days…” the Bible says (so we don’t know how much longer Paul waited in prison), King Agrippa arrived. The day after his arrival, King Agrippa entered the auditorium with great pomp.  Festus gave the command and Paul was brought before the assembled group.  Which brings us to chapter 26: Paul giving an explanation of his ministry.

False accusations; beatings; imprisonment for well over 2 years…now standing before the roman officials and prominent men of Caesarea defending his life…

Does this sound like a moment when you would say, “I feel happy!”?

Paul said he was happy: “I consider myself fortunate/happy…”  Why?  Why was Paul happy?

I believe the reason Paul was happy is a key for all of us – who claim to follow Christ – to receive and experience Holy Happiness.  And it is this:

Paul was happy because he was having an opportunity to present the Gospel!

Here’s an important question for you:  What if the one thing that would provide you and me with the greatest joy and happiness in this life, is the one thing we seldom do (if ever!)…and that is, share the Good News of Jesus with others?

What if our Holy Happiness is dependent on our telling?

If this were true, then how often would you be happy?  How much Holy Happiness would you be experiencing today? this week? ever?

We didn’t even go back far enough in Acts to see all the times Paul was beaten, run out of town, stoned and left for dead, and other trials.  And yet this same Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi:

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.  More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God based on faith.  [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Philippians 3:7-10)

There is a “fellowship” in suffering.  It puts you in high company, including Jesus!  James expressed this same sentiment: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” (James 1:2).

This suffering, or these trials, have tremendous power and benefit in your life if they occur because of your walk with Christ and your sharing of His story.  Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness…Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.  Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven.  For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

Sharing Jesus and what He has done and is doing in your life may cause suffering for you.  It may cause persecution…or some negative impact in your life.  But it also may be the key to receiving and experiencing Holy Happiness.

We started this series in lesson one by saying we could receive and experience Holy Happiness by Fearing God, Trusting God and Obeying God. 

Fear means respect.  If we respect God, then we will do what He says.  We will obey.  And as we are obeying, we will trust that He will protect, provide and produce blessings and results, according to His will.

In other words, to fear, trust and obey the Lord is demonstrated…is lived-out…by being faithful to obey the Great Commandment and fulfill the Great Commission.  Love people, and because we love them, tell them how to be so wonderfully impacted by Jesus!

Doing so…though it can be scary, and rather awkward until you get used to it…is the way to receive and experience Holy Happiness.

This we learn from Paul.  He is our example.

Have you ever experienced the joy that comes from sharing Jesus with another?  Have you heard others express such joy as they were used by God to bring salvation to someone?

Holy Happiness can be yours.  Tell someone today how to be so wonderfully impacted by Jesus; and today you will experience Holy Happiness!

Holy Happiness - Part 5

What makes you happy?  And, as a Christian: What should make you happy?

According to Scripture, Mary (the mother of Jesus) experienced Holy Happiness.  As we look at this specific time in her life, we learn two important actions that can help us experience Holy Happiness in our lives as well.

Mary had an angel appear to her and say, “Even though you are a virgin, you are going to become pregnant and bear a son.”  And she believed him!  Though it caused some trouble with Joseph, they worked it out and Jesus was born.  We know the story.

But there is one part of the story we often don’t pay much attention to; and that is Mary’s relationship and visit to her relative Elizabeth, also miraculously pregnant.  Do you remember who Elizabeth’s child was?  He was John the Baptist.

When Gabriel the angel appeared to Mary, he used Elizabeth as evidence that God could do the impossible.  So Mary went to see Elizabeth and when she entered the house, here is what happened:

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Then she exclaimed in a loud cry: ‘You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed!  How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me!  She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!’  (Luke 1:41-45)

Elizabeth confirmed God’s message to Mary through the angel.

With this obvious confirmation, Mary was moved with joy and she uttered what has become known as Mary’s Magnificat…her song of praise!  We find it recorded in Luke 1:46-55.

In her song, we learn what impressed Mary and made her experience Holy Happiness.  By studying it, we can learn what should make us happy as well.  Let’s walk through it.

Mary begins by stating something about her soul and her spirit. 

Mary sang that her soul “magnifies (proclaims the greatness of) the Lord.”  She also sang that her spirit “rejoices is God my Savior.”

Thousands of times you may have heard the phrase: “Lord and Savior.”  Where does that come from?  The Bible!  Mary uses both words in the opening phrases of her song of happiness… acknowledging Jesus is both her Lord and Savior.

As Lord, He deserves our humble devotion – our reverent offering of worship, adoration and praise.  We are to magnify Him.

As Savior, we should respond to Him in great joy because it is He who has saved us!  We are to rejoice in Him.

How perfectly Mary expresses what each of us should feel and do:

·         Honor/magnify the Lord – the One who rules

·         Rejoice in the Savior – the One who saves

But why?  Why is Mary honoring/magnifying and rejoicing?

“…because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave.” (vs. 48a)

When God looked at Mary, He first saw…

1)      A Devoted Follower – “His slave” (vs. 48)

God saw in Mary one who was faithful to obey.  One who would do as He instructed.  Maybe, to really receive and experience Holy Happiness, we have to be devoted followers as well.

When God looks at you, does He see “His slave?”  Can He say that about me? You? Your church or my church?  Can He look at us and KNOW that we will obey Him?

I believe, the more we are genuinely His slaves – giving honor and praise to Him as Lord, and rejoicing in Him as Savior – then the more likely we are to experience Holy Happiness.

Secondly, when God looked at Mary, He saw…

2)      A Dedicated Believer – Elizabeth said of Mary: “She who has believed is blessed…” (vs. 45)

Mary had seen an angel!  Now come on; if someone comes up to you all out of breath and excited, and says, “I’ve just seen an angel!” how are you going to respond?

What if they go on to say the angel told them something was going to happen that you KNOW is IMPOSSIBLE.  What are you going to think?

Mary was a virgin.  She had never had sex.  And the angel told her, “You’re not going to have sex, but you are going to have a baby!”  What?

In Mary’s day, there was only one way to get pregnant…and she had not, and was not going to do that…but she was going to be pregnant!

And the angel even told her, “Your relative Elizabeth, who is way too old to have children, is pregnant also.  Go check with her!”  So not ONE, but TWO impossible occurrences the angel said were going to happen.

How would you have responded?

How do we respond when faced with something we KNOW is IMPOSSIBLE?

How did Mary respond?

She believed.  According to Scripture, that is the key.

Elizabeth said, “She who has believed is blessed…” (vs. 45)

God looked across the earth – or least among all the Jewish virgins in Nazareth of Galilee – and He saw Mary.  And when He observed Mary, He saw one He knew was…

·         A Devoted Follower, and

·         A Dedicated Believer

So He was able to do a miracle in her life; and she was able to experience Holy Happiness!

This is why Mary was able to receive and experience Holy Happiness.  But I want to switch gears for a moment and see what this experience of Holy Happiness next caused Mary to do.

Beginning with the end of verse 49, through the rest of her song, Mary focuses on God.  This is important!

vs. 49b “His name is holy”

vs. 50   “His mercy…”

vs. 51a “He has done a mighty deed…”

vs. 51b “He has scattered…”

vs. 52   “He has toppled…”

vs. 53   “He has satisfied…”

vs. 54   “He has helped…”

vs. 55   “just as He spoke…”

Eight references to God…to a trait of His character; to something He has done; and/or to something He has promised in the past and is now accomplishing.

What point am I trying to make?  What does the Bible show us?

Simply this: Holy Happiness should lead us to…

Magnify – proclaim the greatness of – the Lord; and to

Rejoice in God my Savior! 

This is what happened in Mary’s life.  And this can lead to Holy Happiness in your life and my life as well.

So remember: Holy Happiness is received and experienced by those who are devoted followers of the Lord & dedicated believers in the Savior.  And experiencing Holy Happiness should cause us to react by magnifying God and rejoicing in Him.

Do so, and like Mary, be blessed!