Holy Happiness - Part 4

Each session of this series we have asked: What makes you happy?  And, as a Christian: What should make you happy?

In session one, we learned three actions that, if we are obedient to them, bring us happiness: to 1) Fear God; 2) Trust God; and, 3) Obey God.  In session two, we saw that pursuing the path of Wisdom brings happiness/blessedness to God’s children.  In session three we saw an example of a group of people who experienced Holy Happiness: the Israelites.  Moses reminded them they could have Holy Happiness because they lived under God’s Protection and Provision.

In this session, I want to look at another Biblical example of one who experienced Holy Happiness.  This person is from the Old Testament; though the passage about him I will use is in the New Testament.

Who from the Old Testament would you consider to have experienced Holy Happiness?

The one we are going to look at may surprise you…it’s Job.  Job, who lost his wealth, his family, his health…he who experienced such suffering and pain (emotionally and physically)…the Bible says Job experienced Holy Happiness!

Are you surprised?  Why do you think the Bible would say Job experienced Holy Happiness?

It was NOT because all his wealth, family and health were restored…even to greater levels than before.  We think that though, don’t we?  We think: “Sure Job was happy, at the end, when he had been blessed and had received back so much.” 

But the Bible is clear, the restored wealth, family and health were the result…but something else was the reason.

Do you know why Job really experienced Holy Happiness?

Let’s find out.

You should read James 5:7-11.  But for this lesson, I want to focus only on verses 10-11.

“Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience.  See, we count as blessed those who have endured.  You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord: the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”  (James 5:10-11)

In verse 10, James is talking about suffering and patience.  Not two words we would usually associate with being happy!

As we wait for the Lord’s return, there will be times of suffering – sometimes, intense suffering.  Through these times we are to be patient.  He IS coming; and He is coming SOON!

Don’t think you can do it?  Don’t think you can make it?  Just check-out the Old Testament prophets, James says.  Read about them; study their lives; they made it, so can you.

How did they make it?  Was a there a secret?  Is there something I should know – that I should learn from their example – that will help me?

Yes; there is.  We find it in verse 11.

 “We count as blessed those who have ____________”  What?

Those who have ENDURED.  Then James gives an example:  “You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord…” 

It’s Job!  James chooses Job.  Think about this: of all the Old Testament guys, he chooses Job as an example of one who experienced Holy Happiness.  “We count as blessed…you’ve heard of Job…”

In giving us the example of Job, he reminds us of the necessary ingredient we must possess to walk in Holy Happiness.  He states it clearly.  It is: ENDURANCE.

If you are going to be a disciple of Jesus – that is, a Christian – then you are going to experience suffering; and there are going to be times when you will have to exercise extraordinary patience.

What is “patience THROUGH suffering?”  Endurance.

James makes it clear (as do many other passages in the Bible): Endurance leads to Holy Happiness.

A text note in my Bible indicates you could use the word “persevered” in place of “endurance.”  Does that help you understand the concept?  “We count as blessed those who have persevered.”

“Suffering with patience”  -  “endurance”  -  “perseverance” This is why Job experienced Holy Happiness; why the Old Testament prophets did, according to James.  When life was tough, they persevered, they endured.

As a result they were blessed.  James says: “We count them as blessed…”

Our example – Job – teaches us that Holy Happiness – true, deep-seated happiness in this life – is possible for those who endure; for those who are patient through the suffering; for those who persevere.

In case there are any doubters, James reminds us: “[we] have seen the outcome from the Lord.”

Remember, Job ended up being very blessed with greater wealth, a larger family, and restored health.  Endurance – persevering through trials – is necessary to walk in Holy Happiness.

Holy Happiness - Part 3

What makes you happy?  As a Christian, what should make you happy?

This is lesson three in a study entitled: Holy Happiness!  In his lesson I want to begin giving you some Biblical examples of some who experienced Holy Happiness.  Let’s see how they received and lived with Holy Happiness.

Our first example is Israel.  The descendants of Abraham have come out of Egypt; have been established as a nation; and have wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  They are on the verge of entering the Promised Land.  Their leader, Moses, will die soon and be replaced by Joshua.

Knowing this, in Deuteronomy 33, Moses gives a final blessing to the tribes of Israel. He concludes this section with some important statements about their blessedness/happiness that they have received from God.  He reminds them of why they can be happy; two reasons.

First reason why they can be happy is because they have experienced…

I.       God’s Protection

“There is none like the God of Jeshurun (reference to Israel), who rides the heavens to your aid on the clouds in His majesty.” (Deuteronomy 33:26)

According to this verse, the Israelites can by happy because the God of Creation – the God over Creation: “who rides the heavens…on the clouds of His majesty” – comes to Israel…“to your aid…”  He comes to help them.

Zachariah later wrote: “The Lord of Hosts will defend them” (Zachariah 9:15a).  So many times the psalm writers share the same truth: God is Israel’s defender…“my shield.”

The first aspect of God’s protection that Moses gives his people is that God defends you.

“The God of old is [your] dwelling place…” (vs. 27a)

In this phrase Moses tells the people they can be happy because God is their “dwelling place.”  What does this mean?

What is a “dwelling place?”  Does that phrase mean anything to you?

You know what it means to me?  HOME!

Moses second aspect of God’s Protection is a reminder that the “God of old,” the God from before the ancient times and to today – He is our home!  God’s Protection means He defends us and He receives us home!

“…and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (vs. 27b)

What does this phrase mean?  To me, I think of foundation.  Moses says God supports us, as part of His protection.  Just another reason why the Israelites could be happy.

“He drives out the enemy before you, and commands ‘Destroy!’” (vs. 27c)

Why should the Israelites be happy (according to this phrase)?  Because God “drives out the enemy before you!”  The God who defends you, receives you and supports you, also advances you!  He destroys the enemy that’s where?  In front of you: “before you.”  So you are free to move forward…to advance.

The first phrase of the next verse sums up this section:

“So Israel dwells securely…” (vs. 28a)

Since God’s Protection defends, receives, supports and advances His people, what do they have to worry about?  Answer: Nothing!  They can “dwell securely.”

What are some synonyms for “dwell securely?”  What does that phrase mean to you?

Let me ask you this:  As a child of God, does He defend you?  Receive you?  Support you?  And advance you?  Then, what do you have to worry about?

Answer?  Same as for the Israelites: Nothing!

We too, dwell securely under God’s Protection.  Because of that, we can consider ourselves blessed and receive true and lasting Holy Happiness.

But this is just the first reason Moses gave the people for why they could be happy.  There is a second…

II.    God’s Provision

Look at the remainder of verse 28.

“Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine; even his skies drip with dew.” (vs. 28b)

untroubled – Other old manuscripts read: “Jacob’s fountain is alone.”  What does this mean?

Jacob lived in a broad, fertile place – a place that was watered by a fountain.  This area was without enemies or threats.  In this sense then, he was alone.  So, Jacob (a reference to Israel) had been provided by God a fertile, watered, safe, secure place in which to dwell!

In other words, as God protects He also provides.

In this case, He provides an “untroubled” existence in what kind of place?  Look at verse 28.

…a land/place of abundance: “land of grain and new wine”

…a land/place of growth: “skies drip with dew”; there is rain, moisture; this is not a dry, arid land but a fertile land.  And in fertile places, there is growth!

Therefore…

“How happy you are, Israel!” (vs. 29a)

Because of God’s Protection and Provision, Israel, you can be happy!  In fact, you are unique; there are none like you.  And you are a people special to God; He saved you!

Answer this question: What did the people have to do to receive and enjoy God’s Protection & Provision?

Three things Moses tells them.

(1)               TRUST.  Trust that He is the “shield that protects you.” (vs. 29b)

(2)               TELL.  If you “boast” in Him (vs. 29c), then you are sharing great things about God.  The Israelites were chosen to tell the world about Him.

(3)               TREAD.  As for your enemies Israel, “you will tread on their backs” (vs. 29d).  But you will only do this if you are willing to trust and walk where and when God directs.

Let’s put this passage all together: We (like the Israelites) can receive and constantly live in Holy Happiness when we remember that we have…

God’s Protection – He defends us, receives us, supports us and advances us; and,

God’s Provision – He leads us through a life of abundance and growth.

As a result, we must trust Him, tell others about Him, and tread where and when He directs.

Holy Happiness…possible with God’s protection and provision, and our faithful obedience.

Holy Happiness - Part 2

What makes you happy?  As a Christian, what should make you happy?

This is the second installment in a series about being and experience true, lasting happiness in our lives.  In this study I want to examine the Path of Holy Happiness.  There is a route, a path we can travel, that provides happiness.  And by happiness, I do not mean the emotion of happiness that can ebb and flow so quickly.  But rather, we are learning about that deep within us sense of blessedness and joy that nothing can ever take away.

Here is what the Bible says about this path:

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)

As we are being obedient to Fear, Trust and Obey God (see part one in this series), there is a path we can walk that will provide happiness/blessings into our life.  According to this verse, what is the path of happiness?  Answer: the path of Wisdom.

Chapter 1 of Proverbs contrasts the paths of the evil/violent/wicked, and the path of Wisdom.  You need to think of this as two different trails through life.  One trail will lead to destruction, and much pain and suffering.  The other, to life, blessings and apparently, happiness!

How do you travel the path of Wisdom?  What does this mean?

According to the verse, Wisdom is something we “find;” something we have to “acquire.”  So this says: Wisdom is not something we just naturally possess.

We are not born wise.  We are not born with understanding.

Wisdom and understanding must be acquired; must be found.  Both actions suggest effort on our part.  There are verses in Scripture that speak of God just literally pouring abundance into our laps.  Apparently, this is not the case with Wisdom.

We must work at it; we must pursue; we must put in the effort to find and acquire Wisdom.

So why would we want to?  Why put in the effort required to find and acquire Wisdom?

Solomon tells us.

In the next five verses, instead of talking about the PATH TO Wisdom, he discusses the WORTH OF Wisdom.

“…for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.” (vs. 14)

Solomon writes two things about Wisdom:

1.      More profitable than silver

2.      Revenue better than gold

Why are these significant?  They are the currency and chief concern of their day.  You had to have them.  Everyone wanted them.  And this was not just in Solomon’s day; but in ours as well.

He continues…

“She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.” (vs. 15)

Two more things he states:

1.      More precious than jewels

2.      Nothing compares

Gold and silver were vital, but the really wealthy displayed jewels.  Gold and silver were necessary currency and desired, but jewels were much more highly prized.  They were held as precious.  Gold and silver you would use to buy and sell.  But jewels were collected and admired; highly prized.

And yet Solomon said Wisdom was much more precious than prized jewels.  Indeed, NOTHING we desire compares to Her.

So Wisdom is worth more than silver, gold, jewels or anything else we desire.  Why?

Look at the next verse.

“Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.” (vs. 16)

What two things does Solomon say about Wisdom in this verse?

1.      Long life in Her right hand

2.      Riches and honor in Her left hand

Do you see why Wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold, jewels or anything thing else we might desire?  First, She has riches and honor in Her hand.  And the imagery of Her hands is that they are open, reaching out toward us to give what She has.  Not closed, clinging to these things.

So all the wealth and pretty/precious things we think we need, She has.  And She gives them to those who find Her!  Instead of sweating and worrying over how to grow rich; give your effort to finding Wisdom and acquiring understanding.  Riches and Honor are in Her hand.  Find Her, and you will find what you really desire and need, in the area of riches and honor.

Second, Wisdom has long-life in Her other hand.  Ever known anyone who work hard to become successful, so hard in fact, that it killed them?  Have you ever been stressed out over work, or your income, paying the bills, accumulating wealth, etc.?

Imagine a life instead, of working to become wise – and all these other things just being given to you!  Instead of working yourself nearly to death for money, receiving life; the Bible says literally, “length of days.”

Obviously, this is a different way of thinking and focusing each day.

Oh, but there is even more.  Look at the next verse:

“Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.” (vs. 17)

This life Wisdom gives: 1) its ways are pleasant; and 2) its paths are peaceful!

Doesn’t that sound wonderful?  A life of pleasantness and peace!  How is this possible; to have such a life?  Only by finding wisdom; by pursuing understanding will you have such a life.

Solomon summarized this section with …

“She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.” (vs. 18)

Finding Wisdom is the first step – that’s what verse 13 started off with.  “Happy is the man who finds wisdom.”  What is the second step on the path of happiness?

Embracing Her and holding onto Her.

The image is of one of INTIMACY and CLINGING.  Do this with Wisdom, and be happy.

Travel the path of finding and acquiring Wisdom and understanding, and you will find a real and lasting happiness – you will discover Holy Happiness!

Holy Happiness - Part 1

What makes you happy?

Take a moment…think about the question.  What’s your answer(s)?  Now, a slightly different question: As a Christian, what should make you happy?

Where does our happiness as Christians come from…what is your source for Holy Happiness!  Holy Happiness is not the same as emotional happiness.  Emotions are like the tides at the shore; they rise and fall, often.  Holy Happiness is what the Bible means when it uses the word blessed.  This is a sense deep within you of joy, one the world cannot touch.

So now, back to our question.  Does your happiness as a Christian come from…

-          What you are?

-          What you have?

-          What you do?

-          Or something else?

You can only pick one; which one would you pick?  I believe that happiness for Christians is derived from three actions.

1. Fear God

“How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!” (Psalm 128:1)

To understand this source of happiness for the saints we must understand a key concept in this verse.  This verse states that happiness is for those who fear the Lord.  If you want the happiness, you have to fear the Lord.  Before you can fear the Lord, you have to understand what this phrase means…how it applies – how it’s lived out – in your daily walk.

So, what does fear the Lord mean to you?  How do you demonstrate that you fear the Lord daily?

the fear of the Lord – no single English word conveys every aspect of this word, as used in this phrase.  The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.¹

The second part of the verse seems to confirm that fear of the Lord includes obedience when it says “who walks in His ways!”

The first action which will help you experience and maintain Holy Happiness! in your walk as a Christian is to fear the Lord.  This means to live each day in worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect.

Might we rightly sum this up by saying: humble submission?  Happiness comes to us when we humbly submit to God each day.

2. Trust God

“ …and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.” (Proverbs 16:20b)

According to this verse, what is the second action we are to do if we want to be happy as Christians?  Answer: trust God.

Now everybody who claims to be a Christian would say, “Oh, yes.  I trust God.  I certainly do.”

But do we?  Do you really trust God?  Do you trust God always?  What does real trust look like?  How do you live – what do you do different – if you truly are trusting God?

To trust God is to walk each day with confidence in Him and conviction in me.

I trust Him.  He has made promises and will not let me down.  I may not have much trust in myself, or many others – and maybe rightly so – but I know He is trustworthy.  In Him we can have absolute and total confidence.  If we do, then we trust Him.  And it shows in the way we live each day, and in the way we respond or react to circumstances that occur.

Instead of: “Woe is me!  What am I going to do?”  Our response will be: “Wow; that was surprising!  But God is in control; what does He want me to do (if anything)?”

Trust means we have confidence in Him.

But also, this breeds a deep conviction in us: that He is trustworthy.  A conviction that He will provide and guide in every situation; that He is worthy of our devotion, respect and obedience, no matter what happens; and because of this, I’m going to stay the course!

To have happiness as a Christian, we first must fear God, and second, we must trust God.  Third, we must…

3. Obey God

“you also should do just as I have done…if you know these things, you are blessed [happy] if you do them.”  (John 13:12-17)

Jesus gave the disciples an example of leading and ministering by serving; and He, commanded that they do the same!  He even stated that their blessedness, or happiness, would be based on their obedience.  If they obeyed, then they would be happy.  By the way, the reverse also is true: if they did not obey, then they would not find happiness!

Three easy ways to measure your obedience:

a.       New Testament shows we are to be maturing/growing as disciples (all of us!).  Are you being obedient?  Are you doing what is required to grow and mature as a follower of Christ?  Are you becoming a little bit more like Him each day, week, month and year?

b.      Oldie but a goodie: Are you obeying the Great Commandment?  It’s even called: Commandment!  How much easier does it have to be?  This is not a suggestion or an “if you have the time or inclination!”  “DO THIS!” God says.  Are you loving God, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

c.       You can probably guess the last one… the Great Commission.  Are you obediently telling others about Jesus and making new disciples?

Three simple questions – Yes or No – are you indeed being obedient?

Understand: your level of obedience impacts your level of happiness as a Christian!

So ask yourself this question: Are you happy?  Are you happy as a Christian?

If not, is it because you don’t fear God; or because you don’t trust God; or because you are not being obedient to God?

Fear, trust and obedience…we don’t usually associate these words with happiness.

That’s why this is entitled: Holy Happiness!  We aren’t discussing the emotion of happiness; that fleeting, elusive feeling that comes and goes so quickly; that can be so hard to find, even harder to hang onto.

This is about the happiness only available to Christians.  And how we can find it, hold onto it, and experience each and every day of our lives!

So again, what makes you happy?  Now – at least for the Christian – you know the answer.

Good Affliction

afflicted - distressed so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish.

Nobody likes to be afflicted.  It is not pleasant, fun or enjoyable…there is nothing about affliction that would make one say, “Oh boy, I hope to be afflicted today!”  No sane person desires to be “distressed…severely,” to experience “persistent suffering or anguish.”  It is something we avoid at all costs, if at all possible.

But that’s the point.  Affliction cannot always be avoided.  Sometimes it’s necessary.  And sometimes, it is a tool God uses for our good.  Read these verses from Psalm 119:

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.

Psalm 119 expresses the psalmist’s delight in God’s Word…it is a psalm of praise and adoration for the Bible.  But in this section of the psalm, the subject turns to affliction.

The writer admits he experienced a wilder time in his life.  At some point he “went astray.”  Many probably have done similar.  Thank God that He doesn’t quit, or turn His back on us, when we do!  Instead, He loves us through it…sometimes using affliction.

Obviously, the affliction the psalmist endured brought good into the his life.  Affliction turned him around…brought him back to God’s Word.  So the end result of the severe distress that caused “persistent suffering or anguish,” was, in his own words: “good for me.”

How could affliction possibly be good?

For the psalmist, it caused him to pause on the path he was traveling.  If affliction stops us in our tracks; if it turns us back to God; if it encourages us to pick up His Word, to read it and apply it in our life…then affliction indeed has done a good and powerful work.

Are you experiencing affliction?

Look at your life carefully.  Might there be something amiss; might God be using this experience to draw you back to Him?  If there is something wrong, repent.  Pick up His Word again.  Read it; study it; let it speak to you.  Pray.  Spend time with the Lord.

May your testimony in the future be, as it was for the psalmist: “I went astray…but God allowed affliction to get my attention.  Because of that severely distressing time I no longer go astray, and I know and follow the Bible better than ever before.  So yes, for me affliction was good!”

"Honey...life stinks!"

I have said those words...many times.  Because sometimes, life just plain stinks.  There are days of utter failure; feelings of frustration; moments of dispair, depression and discouragement.  Add to that the emotions of anger, jealousy, betrayal, and a host of others.  And then, you have bad news...from a doctor, friend, boss or family member.  No doubt about it...sometimes life just stinks!

But there are some really good days too.  Days of success and joy; times when everything is going your way and it feels as if all is right in your life.  Some days are filled with elation, achievement, purpose and genuine pleasure.  Sometimes, life smells so sweet!

The Bible speaks to all these days/situations, and so much more.  Scripture can help you through tough times and help you celebrate and thank God for the good times.  Most of all, the Bible can help you understand, deal with, accept, endure or enjoy all the times of your life.  Applying Scripture to your life situation...that is the purpose of this blog.

So find a topic you are dealing with today...read on...and be blessed!