Jesus Christ gives abundant happiness through His Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39; John 10:10)
Jesus said, come unto me all you who labor seeking happiness, and I will give you rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29). The Lord’s prophet, Isaiah, asked, why spend your money for bread and your labor for what does not satisfy the soul (Isaiah 55:2)? A psalmist of the Lord sang, happy are the people whose God is the Lord (Psalm 114:15).
A wise man of the Old Testament shares wisdom about finding happiness in the Lord.
King Solomon shares his wisdom about finding happiness. He said he had great riches, knowledge, honor and every pleasure of the world; but discovered things of the world do not lead to true happiness–They are all “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” – “Vanity and vexation of spirits” (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV- KJV). Solomon learned, “The one who trusts in the Lord will be happy” (Proverbs 16:20 HCSB)
Solomon tells us to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding–Think about him in all your ways, and he will guide you on the right paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We can learn from the disappointments of others.
Many people think of famous entertainers as models of success and happiness, although several of their lives have ended in disappointment and tragedy.
Elvis Presley: “King of Rock and Roll”— “one the most significant cultural icon of the 20th century,” died at the age of 42. He died of debatable causes—including “drugs habits” and “heart attack.”
Marilyn Monroe: One of Hollywood’s most “popular sex symbols” died at the age of 36, because of “barbiturate overdose.”
Michael Jackson: “King of Pop” –“one of the most popular entertainers in the world” died at the age of 50, due to “acute drug intoxication.”
Whitney Houston: “One of pop music’s best-selling artist of all time” died at age 45, from “drowning due to drug intoxication.”
True fulfillment and lasting happiness are not found in things of the world. They are found only in Jesus Christ.
We can learn from those who found real happiness in Jesus, even in their suffering.
Stephen, Early Church deacon, was martyred as he fearlessly proclaimed the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stephen was stoned and dying, when he looked into heaven and saw Jesus, and called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:54-59).
The Apostle Paul was an example of one who was poor, persecuted and suffered a lot in life (Corinthians 11:16-33). But he said, “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “I just want to do God’s will.” He was jailed, harassed and martyred while carrying out the Lord’s will.
Happiness of the soul can only be found in the Lord.
God created all things through our Lord Jesus. We were made by him and for him. We were not made to be truly happy in any other way than in Jesus— no more than a square peg was made to fit a round hole. (Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).
King David recognized that the Lord has made us (Psalms 100:3); and he said his soul panted for the Lord as thirsty deer pants for streams of water (Psalms 42:1). Being “a man after God’s own heart”, David found pleasure in extolling the Lord at all times (Psalms 34:1).
King Solomon, like his father King David, found that happy is the people who God is the Lord (Psalms 144:15; Prov. 16:20). According to Solomon, trying to fill the void in your life with money pleasure, power, recognition—things of the world– is like “chasing the wind” (Proverbs 1:14).
At some point in your search for happiness, your soul will make you aware that it is not satisfied by the things of the world. Feeding the soul with things of the world is like trying to satisfy an addiction. An addiction craves for more and more, but is never completely satisfied. The soul can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ. The spirit-filled person finds happiness in the Lord for whom he was created.
Jesus said: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:3). Come unto me all you who labor and I will give you rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-2). My peace I give to you not as the world gives (John 14:27). I have come that you might have life more abundantly (John 10:10). Making the same point in other words, Jesus stated: Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never thirst again (John 4:4). Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, streams of living water shall flow from within him–By this he meant the Holy Spirit that believers would receive (John 7:38-39).
You find abundant happiness in Jesus Christ, as a Spirit-filled believer.
The person who seeks the Lord with all his heart will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Having found the Lord, the Spirit of God remolds the true believer. He transforms him into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). The Holy Spirit makes the believer a living temple for God to dwell in (1 Corinthians 3:16). Being remolded by the Spirit, the primary desire of the believer is to please the Lord. Many or the believer’s desires for earthly things are progressively altered to please the Lord. Even while denying himself and carrying his own cross– walking with the Lord and indwelt by his Spirit– the true believer finds abundant happiness of the soul now and forever with his creator Jesus Christ.
