Good morning:
It was an honest question: “Doesn’t God want me to be happy?” The individual was facing multiple personal problems and wondered why God hadn’t prevented them. Does the same thought cross your mind? It’s easy to imagine that if suddenly all the stress and trouble of earthly life were removed, we would be happy. Or if we could do whatever we wanted, it would make us happy. Some suggest that happiness is just a state of mind. If you tell yourself to be happy, you will be.
But it’s not that simple. No one can be truly and fully happy unless they are at peace with their Maker. God designed human beings in His image that they might be in perfect harmony with Him and find their greatest fulfillment in living for Him. Anything less makes true, lasting joy impossible.
To answer the question, yes, God does want everyone to be happy, not just in a temporary, superficial way, but in the way He intended from eternity. To make it happen He promised and sent His Son to take away the sin of the world and give us the joy of forgiveness. In tomorrow’s sermon text (Phil. 4:4-7), we’ll hear Paul say, “Rejoice in the Lord always!”
So when life is more dreary than delightful, don’t blame God. Instead, recognize the problems and dissatisfaction as evidence of sin in the world and in us. Go to the Lord with prayers of humble confession. Then look expectantly to Him for the joy which flows from the news of His unconditional love in the person of His Son born on earth to be our Savior from sin and death. No matter how easy or difficult today may be, real joy is ready and waiting in Jesus and His Word.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Christmas Eve rehearsal for the children will be at 9:30 a.m.
Bible class will meet in the activity room at 9:45 a.m. Thought-starter: How to share the gospel with family members, friends, and others you know well.
The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15 p.m.
