Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Devotional Thoughts
By Gary Wilkerson
Does God want us to be happy? That’s a loaded question for many Christians. From beginning to end, the Bible gives us a very clear answer, and it’s meant to transform the way we live.
Yes, God wants us to be happy! His desire for our happiness is solidly grounded, a biblically-based truth proven in Scripture. Every modern version of the Bible speaks of happiness over and over.
The Holman Christian Standard Bible, one of the newer translations, tells us, “Happy are the people who know the joyful shout; Yahweh, they walk in the light of Your presence” (Psalm 89:15). “I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief” (Jeremiah 31:13).
The New Living Translation, another respected version, reads, “And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness” (Isaiah 65:18). The GOD’S WORD Translation reads, “The people ransomed by the Lord will return. . . . Everlasting happiness will be on their heads as a crown” (Isaiah 35:10). The following verse actually addresses the malaise of the present generation: “You didn’t serve the Lord your God with a joyful and happy heart when you had so much” (Deuteronomy 28:47).
Do you need a word on happiness from the New Testament? “Although you have never seen Christ, you love him. . . . You are extremely happy with joy and praise that can hardly be expressed in words” (1 Peter 1:8, GOD’S WORD Translation).
Altogether I found 2,700 Bible references that speak of happiness, joy, gladness, cheer, delight, even pleasure. Each of these emotions makes up part of the amazing adventure we live in Christ.
Can you regain happiness when it has escaped you for so long?
How is happiness possible when you’re in physical pain, when you’re troubled in soul, when your family is in shambles? Let me give you just a few helpful words:
1.Believe that He wants happiness for you! You’ve been given biblical evidence that God wants happiness for you.
2.Believe that the happiness He gives is a solid reality, not a pipe dream.
3.Renew your mind on this subject through His Word. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of His truth.