BIBLE PASSAGE:
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly
Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom
and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you
as well.
(Matthew 6:32-33)
MEDITATION:
One of the greatest desires of most people is to be happy.
If I can just do (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.
If I can just get (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.
If I can just achieve (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.
However, there is a problem. Some people are searching for
happiness in all the wrong places. They try to find happiness
in a relationship, but when they are disappointed, they try
another relationship, then another, etc.
With the availability of social media, some think they will find
a relationship with someone they have never met. Unfortunately,
there are predators who take advantage of those searching for
happiness in this way.
Some try to find happiness through getting as many possessions as
they can. When they find that happiness is still eluding them, they
try to attain even more possessions. It becomes a never ending, and
costly attempt of trying to find happiness.
Some try to find happiness through achievements. If they achieve
a goal and find that happiness is not there, they set new goals in
hopes of achieving happiness. Achievements are certainly not bad
things, but when they become our obsession for finding happiness,
then we have the wrong motivations.
Some believe Satan’s lies that they can find happiness through drugs
or alcohol, but they soon discover that Satan failed to tell them about
the consequences of seeking happiness in this way. As a result, they
discover a greater level of unhappiness and a lack of self-control.
So, where in the world can a person find happiness? The answer is,
happiness is not found, ‘in the world’; it is found, ‘out of this world’.
We need to go to God’s Word if we want to find true happiness.
‘Worry’ is a killer of happiness, and the Bible tells us that some people
will,
“run after all these things”
without considering that our Creator knows what we need to be happy.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things, and your
heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek
first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 5:31-34)
Additionally, His Word tells us the ‘key’ to happiness is to
“seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”.
That’s not the kind of answer some people want to hear. They want to
work toward achieving happiness without submitting to their Creator.
Isaiah implies that seeking the Lord has limitations.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call on Him while He is near.”
(Isaiah 55:6)
Doesn’t it just make sense that the One who created us, knows exactly
what we need to be happy? That’s why we are told that our first, and
only attempt to find true happiness is to ‘connect’ with the Lord.
ACTION:
Questions to consider:
– How much happiness do I have in my life?
– Have I chosen to ignore God’s instructions for
happiness and decided to pursue it in my own way?
– Which do I believe in: the world and my own ingenuity, or God’s Word?
If we are searching in all the wrong places, then we should try His
instructions, right? He loves us more than anyone else ever has, or
ever will, and He knows the formula for our happiness. We should
avoid ‘buying into’ Satan’s lies that we can find happiness without
God.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for not believing Your Word and Your
instructions for finding true happiness. You know how I have been
struggling to find happiness in my own way. Lord, change my heart
so I will put my faith into action and trust that Your Word is true. If
I ever expect to find happiness, I need to make You Lord of my life.
Forgive me for not giving You, Your rightful place in my life. I want
to find happiness, and I know that if I seek You first, You will provide
me with exactly what I need for being happy. Thank You for loving
me as You do, even when I feel unlovable and struggle to love myself.
Help me to rise above my failures to obey Your commands and make
a new commitment to strive more to obey You in the future. You know
how Satan wants to drag me down by reminding me of my failures.
Father, remind me of the amazing act of love by Jesus on the cross
that covers my sins and gives me additional chances to prove my faith
and love through obedience. I know it will require intentional and
dramatic changes for me, but as You sanctify me, I know You are
strengthening my faith and love for Jesus, so I can become more
obedient to Your commands. Father, thank You for Your amazing
love for me and help me to show a greater love for You than I have
in the past. Let this be the beginning of a new life and purpose for me.”
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