I’ve been pondering our need for happiness.  There’s a lot to be said of happiness in our part of the world.  Will the right relationship make us happy?  The right job?  The right amount of money?  The right appearance?  Obedient children?  Good health?  We strive after all these things in our western society, often conveniently forgetting that the greater part of our world actually lives in poverty and degradation that we can’t even begin to imagine.  And yet we still yearn for happiness and wonder what will bring that often elusive sense of completion and contentment.  I’ve come to the conclusion that temporary happiness is a poor replacement for true joy.  True joy only comes through a relationship with Jesus and thus, a relationship with God the father.  Because trials will come, and do come.  Pain comes, illness comes, death comes in our fallen world.  We need to have something to hold onto that will not fade, falter or fail us.  That something is Jesus, through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, lifting us when we fall, near to us when we call, who saves us when we cry out to him.  He is the comforter who will love us, strengthen us, and provide us with true joy and a secure salvation.

Psalm 145 14-21

¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

¹⁶ You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

²⁰ The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.