Are you happy? Then your face should show it. In other words, you smile when you’re happy. Well, that’s what Proverbs 15:13 says: “When people are happy, they smile…”.
Are You Happy Now That You Are God’s Child?
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: James 5:13-18 (13). Bible lesson background: B. W. Johnson (via e-Sword) – Is any among you afflicted? Let him not swear, or engage in any improper use of the tongue, but let him pray. God is the Helper in such an hour. Is any merry? Let his joy be shown, not in wanton speech, but in singing praises. Prayer and thanksgiving are the appropriate expressions for each condition..
Are you having troubles*? You should pray. Are you happy**? You should sing***. James 5:13 (ERV)
- * troubles: to undergo hardship; KJV: afflicted. ** happy: cheerful; KJV: merry. *** sing: sing hymns, sing praise(s) [to God]; KJV: “sing psalms” sing and play on a stringed instrument.
Well, are you happy? Hopefully, you do not have to think about it, if you are a child of the Creator of everything, you have at least one reason to be happy. God promised you eternal life (1 John 2:25). So, can you think of a better reason for happiness?
I thought it would be a good time to give some ‘happy’ Scriptures after all, who does not want to feel good? But, I really hope you’re not a person that prefers to feel down or sad.
Lord, everything you have given me is good. You have made my life secure. 6 I am very pleased with what you have given me. I am very happy with what I’ve received from you. 7 I will praise the Lord. He gives me good advice. Even at night my heart teaches me. 8 I know that the Lord is always with me. He is at my right hand. I will always be secure. 9 So my heart is glad. Joy is on my tongue. My body also will be secure. Psalm 16:5-9 (NIRV)
Are you happy now?
‘Lord, lead, help, and teach me to live obedient to your word…’ Are you happy when you know you are pleasing God by obeying Him? Is it your desire to obey and please the Lord? Take a look at what the Psalmist asked of the Lord, what a powerful prayer, if you are not happy, do as the Psalmist, and ask God for help. You may need to adjust your way of thinking and change the things that you desire, let God help you.
Lord, teach me how your orders direct me to live.
Then I will live that way to the very end.
34 Help me understand your law so that I may follow it.
I will obey it with all my heart.
35 Teach me to live as you command,
because that makes me very happy.
36 Make me want to follow your covenant laws
instead of wanting to gain things only for myself.
37 Turn my eyes away from things that are worthless.
Keep me alive as you have promised.
38 Keep your promise to me.
Then other people will have respect for you.
39 Please don’t let me be put to shame.
Your laws are good.
40 I really want to follow your rules.
Keep me alive, because you do what is right. Psalm 119:33-40 (NIRV)
Keys to blessings (happiness)
From J. B. Phillips New Testament. Jesus declares who is happy and who is to be pitied and defines a new attitude toward life.
Then Jesus looked steadily at his disciples and said, “How happy are you who own nothing, for the kingdom of God is yours! 21 How happy are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied! How happy are you who weep now, for you are going to laugh!
22-23 “How happy you are when men hate you and turn you out of their company; when they slander you and detest all that you stand for because you are loyal to the Son of Man. Be glad when that happens and jump for joy—your reward in Heaven is magnificent. For that is exactly how their fathers treated the prophets.” Luke 6:20-23 (Phillips)
The word ‘happy’ in Luke 6:20-23 is also translated as ‘blessed’ they come from the Greek word μακάριος makarios mä-kä’-rē-os. To be happy is to have a feeling of well-being or contentment. Happiness according to the McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia “consists in the enjoyment of the Divine favor, a good conscience, and uniform conduct.”
It is remarkable that Jesus began his ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, riches, splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, fixed his eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life. – Barnes
Happiness is…
Proverbs 17:22 (ERV)
Now that you are God’s child…
Now I’m talking to all of you Christians. You belong to our leader, Jesus, so always be happy. This is important, so I’m saying it again, “Be happy.” Philippians 4:4 (PEV)
You are God’s children whom he loves. So try to be like God. 2 Live a life of love. Love other people just as Christ loved us. Christ gave himself for us—he was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (ICB)
One more time I ask, are you happy? If the answer is yes, please tell me what makes you happy and for how long does your happiness last? One thing I am sure of, friends and family or feeling security from a career or job offer temporary happiness (see Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, 6:1-12). However, in order to find lasting happiness, “then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is the source of my happiness.”
Send your light and your truth; may they lead me and bring me back to Zion, your sacred hill, and to your Temple, where you live. 4 Then I will go to your altar, O God; you are the source of my happiness. I will play my harp and sing praise to you, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4 (GNT)
The final question is, are you happy now that you are God’s child? I pray that you are happy, have enjoyed, and will make the most of this Bible lesson. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
♥ Question for “Are You Happy Now That You Are God’s Child?”: Are you happy/blessed?
Scriptures to read and study:
James 5:13-18 (13); 1 John 2:24-27 (25); and Psalm 16:1-11 (5-9) and 119:33-40. Luke 6:20-23; Proverbs 17:22; Philippians 4:2-7 (4); and Ephesians 5:1-7 (1-2). Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 and 6:1-12; and Psalm 43:1-5 (3-4)
See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a fantabulous day!
