True Happiness

Date: Thursday, August 28, 2014
Today's Chapters: Lamentations 3-5
Message Title: True Happiness
Hello My Friend,

“Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior--Happiness is the Lord, Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start; I've found the secret- it's Jesus in my heart! Happiness is a new creation, "Jesus and me" in close relation, Having a part in His salvation--Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is to be forgiven, Living a life that's worth the livin', Taking a trip that leads to heaven--Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord!” These are the song lyrics to “Happiness Is The Lord”, they are a reminder that a life with Jesus brings true happiness, even if we are shedding tears, we can find joy. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” - 1 Peter 1:7.

When we are going through trials it can bring a lot of mixed emotions and actions that we might not normally do, especially if the trial seems to go on and on. Oh, we can keep our head up for a while, but the longer the trial the lower our head begins to hang. When we have done everything in our physical power to do and still see no end, that is when we begin wondering if God is even around. Jeremiah had a very heavy heart, he continues to express his deep sorrow and grief, this time over the affliction he had to deal with. “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.” - Lamentations 3:1-3,7-9.
It's easy to see God when things are going well, but it's almost impossible to see Him when we just keep getting pounded with one trial after another. That's when we need to step back, take a deep breath and remind ourselves that God never leaves nor forsakes us. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:35,38,39.
As Jeremiah was contemplates his afflictions he began to realize something, things could have been a lot worse had it not been for God's mercy and compassion to save those who wanted to be saved. He also reminded himself that while God allows grief, He also gives hope through that grief. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. For the Lord will not cast off for ever:” - Lamentations 3:21-26,31.
Think about all the suffering that an unsaved person or even a person that has backslidden faces and how hopeless they feel. We cannot escape affliction, it's inevitable, but we can endure it if we keep our eyes on Christ. Jesus endured more suffering than anyone here on earth will ever have to face, but through that suffering came redemption, reconciliation, and resurrection for all who believe in Him. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” - Romans 8:31-34. Praise God!
Is any afflicted? Let him pray, and let him pray and pour out his complaint to God. Those who truly want God to change their situation, will not only seek God and His mercies, but also take the steps needed to change them by walking with Christ and conforming to Him. Only through affliction can we become like Christ and find hope out of every situation. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” - 1 Peter 3:8-12.
Today's Prayer: God, Of all the people that have come and gone in the world, You had a purpose for every one of them. Sadly, not everyone fulfills that purpose and not only do they suffer judgment, we suffer the repercussions of their judgment. While we do not want to face affliction, often You place difficult situations in our lives in order to show us that You do have a purpose for us and that through our suffering true joy and happiness will come out of it. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, strengthen us, and help us to look to You for hope out of every situation, and do what is necessary on our part to not only conform to the likeness of Christ, but to be a witness and a testimony that You alone turned our messes into messages of hope and faith in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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