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The Lord Jesus Christ promised a kind of happiness that no one can take away. That will be received by the blessed ones on the day of His return.
IN AN INCREASINGLY materialistic world, it seems not enough for many to find joy, satisfaction, and happiness in what they already have. They desire what they consider as the finer things in life. And they feel easily disappointed, sad, and upset if they do not obtain what they want.
For many, happiness does involve worldly possessions—having a nice place to live, always having food on the table, having lots of money, and the like. However, we should understand that all of these are fleeting and will perish (II Pet. 3:7, 10; Zeph. 1:14–15, 18).
So, can man ever find true happiness? The Bible has this to say:
“For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3:24–26 New International Version)
This experience of Job has also happened to many people no matter who they are or whatever their status in society is. In fact, before this happened to Job, he lived a life of wealth and comfort (Job 1:1–3). But indeed, there are times when the things one does not want to happen are what actually happens. Sadness and even fear brought about by turmoil or lack of peace, diseases, calamities, and death continue to be felt by many. The Bible explains why all of these happen no matter what exceptional quality man has:
“And they shall look to the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, weakness and distress, and a mist following them, and they cannot fly away from their distress.” (Isa. 8:22 Douay-Rheims)
Notice that trouble and darkness were appointed to come to people of this world. The Bible proves that people “cannot fly away from” or avoid “distress.” Furthermore, “man to misery is born” (Job 5:7 Young’s Literal Translation). There are so many people who are not only living in misery or hardship but also are dying of it. Others may not be having financial difficulties because they are rich, but still, they are miserable because of the various problems they encounter.
The Lord Jesus Christ promised a kind of happiness that no one can take away:
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. … So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:20, 22 niv)
The happiness or joy that Christ promised will be received by the blessed ones when they see Him on the day of His return. They will forever rejoice in the new heaven and new earth that God will create:
“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” (Isa. 65:17–19 niv)
We are certain that the happiness that will be experienced by the blessed ones in the new heaven and new earth or the Holy City (Rev. 21:1–4) is true and everlasting. Hence, man should strive to reach the Holy City in order for him to receive the happiness that will last forever.
The Bible teaches the qualities that will lead people to a truly happy or joyful end:
“Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace.” (Ps. 37:37 Amplified Bible)
The Bible attests that there is a happy and joyful end for the upright or the blameless. Those who are upright are those whose sins have been justified and they will have a happy end because they already have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). The peace with God that the Bible refers to is the absence of condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
According to Apostle Paul, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thus, even now, they are certain of salvation. Christ identified those who belong to Him:
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18 Revised Standard Version)
Those whom the Lord Jesus Christ recognizes as His own are the members of the Church that He built, the name of which is Church Of Christ:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)
Therefore, the members of the Church Of Christ are attested by the Bible as the ones who will find true happiness because they are certain of receiving salvation and eternal life.
What about one’s hopes and dreams in life? Should he simply forget about them or abandon them? The Bible gives this instruction:
“Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire. Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you; he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun. Be patient and wait for the Lord to act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans.” (Ps. 37:4–7 Good News Bible)
It is in God that people will find true happiness, not in worldly things or material possessions. Hence, they should always include God in their life and maintain a good relationship with Him in order for their heart’s desires to be fulfilled. ❑
