True Happiness
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10
Read Luke 2:8-13
There are many things that make us happy. We might enjoy good health or
friendships. Maybe you are engaged and are making wedding plans. Perhaps
you are doing well financially. All these things may give us temporary
happiness. They are legitimate, good things which we may enjoy in this
life, yet there is one thing that exceeds all of the above. That is what the
angel declared in his surprising greeting; the great joy of which he spoke is
God’s answer to our great need and misery. To the degree that we learn the
latter, the more we will appreciate the former. We need the Holy Spirit to
give us the joy of God through Christ and to truly enjoy our everyday blessings.
God’s mercy is rich, and He is moved with compassion toward us. He
declares this to all people. In fact, it is couched in a personal address: Unto
you is born this day.
What else can the Lord do? How could He make His invitations more personal?
How could the Lord humble Himself more deeply? In what better
manner could the Lord assure you of His grace? This message reveals how
deeply God has humbled Himself; this ought to humble us. Only then will
we be truly happy. The Lord Jesus left the glory of heaven to be born in a
cattle shed. When Jesus enters a ‘cattle shed’ of a filthy heart, He cleanses
it so that it becomes an increasingly fit place for Him to reign. Do not be
satisfied with the superficial happiness of this world. It will pass away. But
listen carefully to the message given from heaven, which is also personally
addressed to you. Do not fear; the Lord is willing to give you the true happiness
which is to be found at His feet, at the manger of Bethlehem. Realize
that the Christ who came to this world as a Sovereign is most fitting for
people who have been humbled before Him.
Thought: When does happiness become an unspeakable, wonderful
experience?
Psalter 29:1 (based on Psalm 16)
To Thee, O Lord I fly And on Thy help depend;
Thou art my Lord and King Most High; Do Thou my soul defend.
I praise the Lord above Whose counsel guides aright;
My heart instructs me in His love In seasons of the night.
