Thursday, March 31, 2022

Happiness — Part 3

In light of our meditation the past couple of days, I want to ask you a question: “Are you a happy Christian?” I am not asking if you are saved, I am asking if you are truly happy. If not, you need to assess your life and ask yourself why you are not happy. I am afraid that there are many very unhappy Christians, both young and old.

Remember, as believers, our happiness does not depend on our circumstances, as the Scriptures that we have had the past couple of days indicate. However, it does depend on our relationship with the Lord. In prison for preaching the gospel, Paul and Silas “sang praises” (Acts 16:25). This was because their hearts were full of the “joy of the Lord” (Nehemiah 8:10). As we have already noted in a previous quotation, Paul could experience an inward happiness as a prisoner in front of King Agrippa (Acts 26:2).

Growing up, we often sang this chorus by Ira Stanphill:

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.

-Ira F. Stanphill

So, I ask you again, “Are you a happy Christian?”