“… And the Pursuit of Happiness”
A Devotional
©2001 Steve Lattier and Men’s Help Ministries

I think that is one of the most misunderstood phrases in history. For those that don’t quite remember, it is the later portion of a sentence in the United Sates Declaration of Independence. In that venerable document it is even referred to as a “right.” Something that cannot be regulated by law and is guaranteed to every person that God creates. I believe that it is misunderstood because we have twisted the meaning in the last two and a quarter centuries. What was once a freedom to choose we now insist should be guaranteed to us. Let me explain, pursuing happiness does not in any way, shape or form, guarantee your happiness. We have become quite spoiled in our own right and we actually have the audacity to demand happiness from our government our families and even to some extent God Himself! God never promised us that we were going to have a life without hardship, as a matter of fact if you examine the bible it clearly tells you that you will have trials and even some suffering.

The Word:
Hebrews 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. [33] Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. [34] You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. [35] So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. [36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [37] For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.”

I am not going to preach to you on suffering and the will of God, I will save that for another time. Let me interject that God does not mind you being happy. He gave you several wonderful emotions with which you can deal with each and every day. Happy, sad, angry, aloof the list goes on. Have happiness in your life, please do. But don’t think for a minute that your happiness is something that you can earn or that it should be guaranteed. I have another issue with those world changing men that authored that historic paper. As a Christian I think that too much emphasis is placed on that “pursuit of happiness.” While on the one hand I agree that is should not be interfered with by any government entity, it should also not be lauded as a lifestyle preference either. Happiness is so fleeting and it passes so quickly. Your happiness is solely dependent on your material circumstances. Let me say that again another way, your happiness is 100% based on the “here and now.” Your happiness can be taken away from you in a moment by someone blowing up at you. You could get fired, you could have a devastating loss, things happen in life every single day and they all effect your happiness. See, that is what I mean when I say don’t put too much effort into that pursuit of happiness, it really is here today and gone tomorrow. Happiness will fade. Happiness will not last, period. No matter how hard you chase it, it will elude you, and you will never have enough. There is something out there worth pursuing, though. It is a God wrought way of life and it is also one portion of the fruit of the Spirit. It’s name is “Joy.” I can envision several of you shaking your head and saying “happiness/joy” what is the difference? Well for starters I did a word search and found that the two words “happy” and “happiness” are mentioned a total of only twenty seven times in the whole bible! Now in contrast looking up the one word “Joy” it is used comfortably over two hundred times. Happiness is circumstantial but Joy is eternal! Can you see God’s emphasis Christian?

The Word:
Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

That is where it began for us. That angel was announcing the birth of Christ, that is the root of where Joy blossoms. Joy is irregardless of what is happening to you or around you. Did you know that you can weep and have joy? Did you know that you can weep for joy? There are accident victims with joy. There are cancer patients who have joy. There are homeless people who have joy. Joy does not discriminate and is there to be had by all. Joy is eternal! Job had asked God to have mercy on him and to end his life, because of all the suffering that he was going through. Even in that pain he had a firm grip on Joy!

The Word:
Job 6:10 Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

How do we get that joy, how can we possess something that lasts no matter our present condition. The first step is knowing where Joy comes from. Joy flows up from the heart of someone who has a relationship with their savior! The deeper the relationship the more Joy there is. Look at this passage where Jesus is trying to explain it to the disciples.

The Word:
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Why did Jesus have joy? Where did His joy come from? The author of our Joy, the one who gave us our Joy through the Holy Spirit had hope! He knew what Heaven was like. He knew what it was like to be in the presence of the Father. He knew that nothing on this earth could even scratch the surface of the blazing glory that he would experience when he went back to be with the Father. When you become a Christian, you come to the point in your walk with God that you truly accept what he did for you, your heart leaps! That is just a taste of joy! As you go deeper in your relationship with Christ your Joy grows also. As I read the bible I most often see the word Joy right near or in the same context of rejoicing and celebration. What reason do we have to celebrate? Why we get to go to Heaven my friend! We who have accepted Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection are not destined for suffering! One day there will be no more pain and suffering.

The Word:
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Our future will be different. Our here and now may not be all that hot. You may be going through a long suffering trial this very minute. Remember that your time here is short. Even though our life here on earth is all we have to judge our circumstances by, remember that you are different! You have what the world does not, because you chose Christ!

The Word:
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."*
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is, of course much sadness in life and there is also a time to grieve. There is even a time to be angry. Paul admonished us that “in your anger, do not sin” (Eph 4:26) But Joy lasts through all that and can even be felt in the middle of your trials!

Pray with me: Father I feel dried up. I don’t have a good handle on this Joy. I have spent my lifetime in pursuit of happiness and it has escaped me now all I want is your joy. I understand that Joy comes from relationship with you and from belief in your promises of my salvation and of Heaven. Help me Lord, I am too focused on my life and circumstances and I can’t see Heaven. Open the eyes of my heart Lord so that I can see the truth. Father bless me with hope and let me see Heaven through your eyes! I love you and honor you, I repent of my sins and I ask that you would bless me in Jesus name! Amen!

Thanks, Steve! Another good one. How's the family?