TRUE HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT
UK
I recently saw an article in the paper, the gist of which is that atheists (with strong atheist views) are just as happy  and content with their lives as are Christians and other religions with a strong faith, but that those who only have a weak link with religious faith are not so happy and content with their lives.
This report comes from Germany, (same place higher criticism came from), which is rather simplistic at best, or just another attempt to get at our Christian faith, because, of course both parties can be happy and content with their lives in their own ways- I don’t see this as some great revelation.
But what kind of happiness are we talking about, certainly not the kind that comes with true faith in the one true and Living God – JEHOVAH. A person can be happy simply because they get to go on holiday, or have a birthday party, win a job interview, meet up with friends and loved ones, be successful in business, or make lots of money etc. all these things can make one happy, this is but temporary though. The next day one could lose everything and not be so happy and contented!
Worldly happiness and contentment is not the same as the happiness and contentment we find in the LORD JESUS CHRIST? True and lasting happiness comes from faith, trust and obedience in Almighty God. This happiness lasts for eternity, and is a much deeper, profound experience than the one they are talking about in the article.
True happiness is not just a feeling that comes and goes as happiness in this life does, true constant happiness is based on that “hope” that Paul talks about in Hebrews 11:1Â Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This special hope is not based on what we have now or how popular we are, or even how well our lives are going.
This special happiness is based on the Christian’s trust in God and in that all He has said is true and all His promises will come to pass, i.e. that this troublesome mortal life will not last for ever and that there is a new life to come which will be perfect and will last for ever and that we can be part of it if only we believe, and repent turning from our sinful ways and trust in Him.
True deep happiness or joy is part of the gift of faith which God has given us, that upholds us and strengthens us during those times of trouble which come to us throughout our lives in this age.
Psalm 146:5Â Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
 Psalm 16:20 … and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
 Psalm. 3:13- 18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding …
 True contentment comes from knowing that whatever your circumstances and difficulties, the Lord Jesus Christ is there in it with you giving you the strength to endure and overcome all situations and even if you are to remain in these unpleasant circumstances for any length of time, the Lord is there still comforting and strengthening you.
Contrasting worldly happiness with spiritual, Jesus Himself says:
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles [and atheists] seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31 – 33.
 John the Baptist enjoined the soldiers when asked: … be content with your wages. Luke 3:14.
 St. Paul encourages us to be content with what we have, as long as we have the basics we have all we need:
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Timothy 6:8.
 In Hebrews:
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When it comes to the things of this world, the physical things food, clothes etc, Christians, atheists and other religions alike have need of them and can appreciate them , and yes it can make them temporarily happy and even content. But when it comes to the downside of life the atheist and all the false religions have nothing but themselves and maybe some friends or a doctor or their money etc to support them for a while. But none of that can promise them a perfect, happy, eternal life; this can only be had through faith in the WORD made flesh (Emmanuel – God with us, the LORD JESUS CHRIST), who died and rose again for our sins, ascended into heaven and is to come again to receive those who believe into His kingdom and to eternal life with Him.
This is our hope, this is our happiness and this is our contentment, to believe, trust and obey through all trials and temptations knowing He said…, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20.
I also see this article as yet another attack on the Christian faith, of which there has been so much lately but for those of us who truly believe – it won’t work I know who I believe and in whom I trust, and all the scientific research and all the detrimental propaganda in the world will make no difference to that for me, but I know there are those who are not so sure and to them I say hold fast, trust in the Lord, study His word and pray, pour out your heart to Him Who alone can give you that happiness and contentment that the world just cannot give. Another word for true happiness and contentment is “peace”: And the Lord Jesus Christ said:
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John I4:27.
During this pandemic for instance, how many I wonder of these other religious and atheistic people have perhaps complained of mental health struggles, of depression, self-harming, suicidal thoughts or just plain frustration at the whole business, how many of the religious people have asked God to take this pandemic away, or ask why is this happening?
Very few, if any of them know about God’s Great Plan which has been in the process of unfolding since Adam and Eve first disobeyed God’s one command to eat not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. None of them know that God has everything measured and timed and they do not realise that we are now in the end of days and these plagues, climate change, warmongerings, discontent etc were bound to happen as the world in general turns away further from the God who made them, and this is only the beginning!
What does the Lord Jesus say about this time? And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity (which means, no way out); the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:25, 26.
All this is happening now and gathering momentum.
The angel Uriel conversing with the prophet Ezra, tells him: By measure hath he (God) measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the seasons; and he shall not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled. 2 Esdras 4:37.
So we are waiting on God’s timing which is always right.
True believers have no need to fear, or to be depressed On the contrary they should be looking forward, eagerly anticipating our Lord’s return as He also says: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28.
 I believe this climate change business is but a part of the end of days, as is the people’s desire to return to a quieter, more peaceful way of life. I noticed this in watching the programme “Escape to the Country”. Nearly all those who are looking for a house in the countryside are looking to escape the “rat race” of the towns and cities, they have become too noisy, fast, hostile places to live and people are trying to change that by moving out into the green and pleasant land that is in the British Isles. Many are looking to find a property with a bit of land so they can grow their own food, have chickens, goats etc and become self-sustaining, they are looking for that happiness and contentment that is eluding so many. All very good, it shows that people have had enough of this high speed, super tech, PC age and rightly so, but, unfortunately they will not be able to escape that which is. coming upon the earth unless they return to Almighty God. The rhetoric going on about people being kinder to each other, it’s not working, judging by what one sees in the media, but the desire is there, people are desperately looking for a better way of life than we are living now in this 21st century. I believe the people’s mindset is being prepared by the LORD for His return.
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, ...Psalm 110:3
He’s coming! And He’s coming soon, we may not know the day or the hour, but He has given us signs to know when He is drawing near. We should be looking out for them, He will arrive at exactly the right time which only He knows, we should be watching and praying content in the knowledge that He will NOT FAIL: For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry!_. (will not be too late) Hebrews 10:37.
When He arrives all will know, from the least to the greatest, just how wonderfully different true happiness and contentment is from that which is worldly.
