Psa. 144:15 Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
I have learned a lot from Jonathan Edwards. That may sound strange to some people, since he has been dead and gone for several centuries, but his message is as relevant today as it was in the 1700’s. One of the things I have learned from Edwards is the role of happiness in our Christian faith. According to Edwards, God is glorified when I am happy. Now he is not talking about a casual happiness that comes from pleasant circumstances but the supernatural joy that emanates from the presence of the Lord. Edwards used to say it like this, “God is most glorified when I am satisfied with Him”. In other words, Jesus alone is enough to complete my happiness in this life. Here are some thoughts on spiritual happiness from Edwards.
“Tis a great mercy to have health among a people. But the pouring out of God’s Spirit, tends much more to their happiness than that; for this tends to the health of their souls: a people with healthy bodies and sickly souls, are but a miserable people….It tends more to a people’s happiness than outward plenty. Then God gives food for a people’s souls, the bread of life which came down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and live forever. Then is given not the meat that perishes, but the meat that endures unto everlasting life.
At such a time, God bestows on a people spiritual and heavenly riches, which makes ’em a more happy people, than if they flourished in the greatest outward wealth. They are received, many of them, to be the children of God, which is much better than if they were made earthly Princes.”
So maybe you can’t have it all in this life but maybe you don’t really want it all. Maybe, just maybe there is a better way to live. That’s the claim Jesus made. He said if we would abide in Him that our joy would be overflowing. John 15:11,12 NLT – “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
I believe its true; actually, I know its true. I have tasted this joy for myself and have decided this is the way I want to spend the rest of my life.
3 thoughts on “HAPPY PEOPLE”
The experience I have that relates to this is during radiation treatment (2015). Those treatments were brutal and the effects they had on me were devastating. Standing on the word I received from God that I had received my healing (2010) I was confused why I found myself led to these treatments. About half way through the treatments I decided it was too much and I was done. I screamed to God and as best I can remember WHY was my prayer – (my soul was hurting). Somewhere in the midst of my ranting He spoke and said “Tell them about Me.” He had answered me, healed my soul and the next I was excited to head to my treatment and share God’s love to a hopeless group of people.
It was and is amazing. Reminds of the woman at the well when Jesus told His disciples He had food they knew not of. WHOA – now that is exciting! \o/
All Glory, honor & power be to GOD, from whom all blessing flow. Thank you pastor Baileys for answering God’s call on your life. The ministry of victory fellowship has saved my life, in many ways. In Jesus name thank you.
HALLELUJAH JESUS ❗️❗️❗️❗️??