Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Little Nicholas (age 2) is here next to me. I’ve shelled some peanuts for him…and he’s eating them off the desktop. He’s already met the new dog, Bimbo. I’m trying to keep the dog on the dog bed—not easy. They’re getting on OK. Now Nick is walking back to the house…and the cat is irritated with the dog. Is this vital news, or what?

My friend, Charlie Hill, invited me to join him for a little round of night skiing last night. So I did. Lots of fresh snow made it a lot of fun. Now on with the work.

Blessings on your day. Be happy.

Love, Dad/Ray.

How effective would it be if Congress were to pass a National law that decrees, “Every citizen shall be happy. Those who violate this law shall face legal action and be punishable by fines and/or imprisonment?” When someone is then caught in the act of unhappiness, how reasonable would the legal system be to declare, “You shall be punished until you are happy?!” We all know that such a law would not work—no more than trying to fry snow. Nevertheless, it should be noticed that an important component of observing the Law of the LORD is, in fact, happiness—joy, rejoicing. While no legal action is prescribed against violations, it becomes easy to recognize that there are definitely consequences to habitual non-rejoicing.

In a general sense, happiness is indeed more intentional than circumstantial. A simple study of human experience demonstrates that happiness is not necessarily bound to external conditions. Examples abound of some in deplorable circumstances who are happy, while some in luxurious circumstances are unhappy—in some cases, going so far as to check out by means of suicide.

The New Testament presents JOY as a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT—a direct result of the transformational and purposeful SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Listen again to Paul’s charge and reasoning in Philippians 4:4-7. It is sound psycho-spiritual advice. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Biblical happiness does not exempt one from trouble or tragedy, etc. But when we understand something of who we are (“heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ,” Romans 8:17), where we’ve come from (worse than Egypt), why we’re here (to love and please Him), and where we’re going (eternal life with Him), we are provided with constant cause for rejoicing. Amen? Are you happy yet?