cccHow can we be joyful? Some of the
elements of joy or happiness include strong marriages, family
ties, friendships, spirituality, the fellowship of a church
family, a satisfying avenue of employment with human rewards that
reach beyond a pay-check, the understanding that life has
meaning, and the crucial element of hope in the best and worst of
times. But what if some or all of these elements of joy or
happiness are missing in our lives? What if other factors serve
to oppress and to take away true joy from our lives? In our
thoughts, at times, it may seem that joy is impossible and that
joy is beyond our capability. But when it comes to having true
joy and in all else, are not God's thoughts higher than ours;
and, yet still, are not God's promises sure? So, how can we
jump-start joy or happiness in our lives and still uphold
Christian standards? If we habitually claim God's promises and
avail ourselves of His thoughts, even amid sorrows, can we be
joyful? Some people labor under the misunderstanding that we are
never to judge, but should we not exercise righteous judgement in
seeking after true joy and in all matters?
ccc“For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than
your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain
cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither,
but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall
My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return
unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go
out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and
the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn
shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come
up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Thus saith the
Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My
salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that
layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it,
and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” — Isaiah
55:8-13; 59:1-2.
ccc
cccIs true joy really beyond our
capability? Do you suppose that helping other people be happier
not only benefits these people, but it also starts a process that
leads to increasing happiness in our own lives. In effect, if we
give happiness away by helping others, will joy increase in our
own lives? Notice what God's thought and promise is:
ccc
ccc“He that watereth shall be
watered also himself.” — Proverbs 11:25.
ccc
cccThus, in effect, God promises that
what we give (more than what we get) produces the strength of
true joy and happiness in our lives.
ccc
ccc“He that watereth shall be
watered also himself.” — Proverbs 11:25.
ccc
cccCommenting on these Words, the
Spirit of Prophecy adds the following certain promises, as we see
below. In order to jump-start the positive strength that is
gained from true joy, it is up to each of us to put God's Word in
action and to literally claim God's promises in our individual
prayers.
ccc
ccc“One of the divine plans for
growth is impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by
strengthening others. `He that watereth shall be watered also
himself.' This is not merely a promise; it is a divine law, a law
by which God designs that the streams of benevolence, like the
waters of the great deep, shall be kept in constant circulation,
continually flowing back to their source. In the fulfilling of
this law is the secret of spiritual growth. . . .
cccLet those who are oppressed under a
sense of sin remember that there is hope for them. The salvation
of the human race has ever been the object of the councils of
heaven. The covenant of mercy was made before the foundation of
the world. It has existed from all eternity, and is called the
everlasting covenant. So surely as there never was a time when
God was not, so surely there never was a moment when it was not
the delight of the eternal mind to manifest His grace to
humanity. He is ever calling, `Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the
Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.' `Behold, the Lord's hand is not
shortened, that it can not save, neither His ear heavy, that it
can not hear.'” — ST June 12, 1901; or 4ST 185.
ccc
ccc“There are many to whom life is
a painful struggle; they feel their deficiencies and are
miserable and unbelieving; they think they have nothing for which
to be grateful. Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of
appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the
cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act
of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary
shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an
expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity.
cccThe merciful `shall obtain mercy.'
`The soul of blessing shall be made fat: and he that watereth
shall be watered also himself.' Proverbs 11:25, margin.”
— MB 23.
ccc
ccc“Angels are ever engaged in
working for the happiness of others. This is their joy.
That which selfish hearts would consider humiliating service,
ministering to those who are wretched and in every way inferior
in character and rank, is the work of the pure, sinless angels in
the royal courts of heaven. The spirit of Christ's
self-sacrificing love is the spirit which pervades heaven and is
the very essence of its bliss.
cccThose who feel no special pleasure
in seeking to be a blessing to others, in working, even at a
sacrifice, to do them good, cannot have the spirit of Christ or
of heaven; for they have no union with the work of heavenly
angels and cannot participate in the bliss that imparts elevated
joy to them. Christ has said: `Joy shall be in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and
nine just persons, which need no repentance.' If the joy
of angels is to see sinners repent, will it not be the joy
of sinners, saved by the blood of Christ, to see others repent
and turn to Christ through their instrumentality? In working in
harmony with Christ and the holy angels we shall experience a joy
that cannot be realized aside from this work.
cccThe principle of the cross of
Christ brings all who believe under heavy obligations to deny
self, to impart light to others, and to give of
their means to extend the light. If they are in connection
with heaven they will be engaged in the work in harmony with the
angels.
cccThe principle of worldlings is to
get all they can of the perishable things of this life. Selfish
love of gain is the ruling principle in their lives. But
the purest joy is not found in riches nor where
covetousness is always craving, but where contentment reigns and
where self-sacrificing love is the ruling
principle. There are thousands who are passing their lives in
indulgence and whose hearts are filled with repining. They are
victims of selfishness and discontent in the vain effort to
satisfy their minds with indulgence. But unhappiness is stamped
upon their very countenances, and behind them is a desert,
because their course is not fruitful in good works.
cccIn proportion as the love of Christ
fills our hearts and controls our lives, covetousness,
selfishness, and love of ease will be overcome, and it will be
our pleasure to do the will of Christ, whose servants we claim to
be. Our happiness will then be proportionate to our
unselfish works, prompted by the love of Christ.
cccDivine wisdom has appointed, in the
plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the
work of beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. He that
gives to the needy blesses others, and is blessed himself in a
still greater degree. God could have reached His object in saving
sinners without the aid of man; but He knew that man could not be
happy without acting a part in the great work in which he
would be cultivating self-denial and benevolence.
cccThat man might not lose the blessed
results of benevolence, our Redeemer formed the plan of enlisting
him as His co-worker. By a chain of circumstances which would
call forth his charities, He bestows upon man the best means of
cultivating benevolence and keeps him habitually giving to help
the poor and to advance His cause. He sends His poor as the
representatives of Himself. By their necessities a ruined world
are drawing forth from us talents of means and of influence to
present to them the truth, of which they are in perishing need.
And as we heed these calls by labor and by acts of benevolence we
are assimilated to the image of Him who for our sakes became
poor. In bestowing we bless others, and thus accumulate true
riches.” — 3T 382-383.
ccc
ccc“If God and Christ and angels
rejoice when even one sinner repents and becomes obedient to
Christ, should not man be imbued with the same spirit, and work
for time and for eternity with persevering effort to save, not
only his own soul, but the souls of others? If you work in this
direction with wholehearted interest as the followers of Christ,
discharging every duty, improving every opportunity, your own
souls will be gradually settling into the mold of a perfect
Christian. The heart will not be sere and unfeeling. The
spiritual life will not be dwarfed. The heart will glow with the
impress of the divine image, for it will be in close sympathy
with God. The whole life will flow out with cheerful
readiness in channels of love and sympathy for humanity. Self
will be forgotten, and the ways of this class will be established
in God. In watering others their own souls will be watered.”
— WM 307-308.
ccc
ccc“The Christian is to be a
benefit to others. Thus he himself is benefited. `He that
watereth shall be watered also himself.' Proverbs 11:25.”
— 7T 170.
ccc
ccc“A good work cannot be done by
the human agent alone. For the full development and efficiency of
the intellectual as well as the spiritual powers, there is, there
must be, a vital connection with God, a communion with the
highest source of activity. Then with the soul all aglow with
zeal for the Master, we can be a blessing to others. Jesus said,
`Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him
a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' John 4:14.
Those who become partakers of the grace of Christ will guide
others to the living stream.
cccIs it not a privilege to be thus
copartners with Jesus? Is it not an honor to be connected with
the grand work of saving souls, acting the part assigned us by
our Saviour? And none can impart a blessing to others without
receiving benefit himself. `He that watereth shall be watered
also himself.' Proverbs 11:25.” — CH 507-508.
ccc
ccc“Those who have been most
successful in winning souls, were men and women who did not pride
themselves in their ability, but who went in humility and faith,
and the power of God worked with their efforts in convicting and
converting the hearts of those to whom they appealed. Jesus did
this very work. He came close to those whom He desired to benefit
by personal contact. How often with a few gathered about Him, He
commenced the precious lessons, and one by one the passers by
paused to listen, until a great multitude heard with wonder and
awe the Words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. He did
not wait for congregations to assemble. The grandest
truths were spoken to single individuals. The woman at the
well in Samaria heard the wonderful Words, `Whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing
up into everlasting life.'
cccThe interview with the humble
Samaritan was not in vain. The Words that fell from the lips of
the divine Teacher stirred the heart of the listener. She gladly
acknowledged Him. She felt the power of His holy character and
the heavenly influence that went with His Words of truth. Perfect
trust filled her heart. Forgetful of her errand to the well, she
hastened to publish His fame to her townsmen. Many left their
employment to come to the stranger at Jacob's well. They plied
Him with questions, and eagerly received the explanation of many
things that had been dark to their understanding. The perplexity
of their minds began to clear away. They were like people in
darkness tracing up a sudden ray till they had found the day; and
the result of the work of Jesus, as He sat weary and hungry at
the well, was wide spread in blessing. The one soul for whom He
had labored became a means of reaching others and bringing them
to the Saviour of the world.
cccThis is ever the way the work of God
has made progress in the earth. Let your light shine, and others
will be kindled. Jesus said, `Go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.'
This means work. Idleness and religion do not go hand in hand;
and the cause of our great deficiency in the Christian life and
experience is inactivity in the work of God. The muscles of your
body will become weak and useless if they are not kept in
exercise, and it is so with the spiritual nature. If you would be
strong, you must exercise your powers. Exercise faith in God by
proving His promises as you take up your cross and lift your
burden. Put on the yoke of Christ, and prove His Words that `ye
shall find rest unto your souls.' Open the Scriptures to some one
that is in darkness, and you will not complain of weariness and
lack of interest in the cause of truth. Your heart will be
awakened to an anxiety for souls, and joy in the evidences
of the faith will fill your heart, and you will know that `he
that watereth shall be watered also himself.' With living
faith claim the promises of God.” — RH March 13,
1888; or 2RH 194.
ccc
ccc“It is the perfect trust,
the firm reliance, the steady claiming of the promises
of God, the simple faith that He is and that He is a
rewarder of all those who diligently seek Him, that prevails
with God.” — 1T 645.
ccc
cccIs there some way you can help
someone else be happier today? Perhaps it's sending a card,
making a phone call, giving yourself in friendship, telling
someone you care, or sharing the truths of salvation. Joy comes
as we seek the good of others and give away what God has given
us. What will you give away today?
ccc
cccNot what we have, but what we give,
cccNot what we see, but how we live---
cccThese are the things that build and
bless,
cccthat lead to human happiness. —
Anonymous.
ccc
cccFather, we pray and thank You for
giving each of us an inspired formula for happiness. For each of
us to nurture this happiness, we simply ask for a clean heart,
for a right spirit, for saving faith, for increasing trust in
Christ, and for Your will to be done in our lives - - day by day
- - one day at a time. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God bless you!
ccc
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
FORERUNNER, self-supporting ministries
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
Copyright 2003.
Permission is hereby given to reprint any
of these studies and articles provided that they are duplicated
in their entirety without any change or comment.