The Happy People by W. E. LUKINBEAL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1909

The Happy People

By W. E. LUKINBEAL

W. E. LUKINBEAL

“Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Ps. 144:15.

HAPPINESS is universally desired. Men of all ranks and stations are earnestly seeking it. The general inquiry is, Who will show us any good? To this, one replies: “Seek it in bags of gold, in the riches of the world; money answereth all things.” Another replies: “Seek it in the path of human greatness and earthly glory.” A third says: “You will find it in the avenues of pleasure, or the soft luxurious walks of worldly enjoyment.”

What is the result? The poor deluded soul tries each of these remedies; and instead of finding his anguish removed, the feverish excitement is increased, and he is more dissatisfied and wretched than ever. True religion opens the only door to real happiness, and sweetly whispers the sentiment of the text, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” They are happy in the enjoyment of the divine favor. In his favor is life. His loving-kindness is better than life. God is their friend, their affectionate Father. He loves them with an unbounded and inconceivable love. They are his delight, his jewels; and he will “spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” They are happy in the possession of divine peace. They have peace with God through Christ Jesus their Lord. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Besides, they have peace of conscience, possess the spirit of peace, and are at peace with all mankind.

They are happy, in being entitled to all the privileges of adoption. They have the family name, family costume, access to the family table; and they have all the family dignities, immunities, and privileges. They are happy in being interested in all the precious promises. These all belong to them—temporal promises, of food, raiment, preservation, and guidance; promises which relate to the dwellings and families of the righteous, to their posterity, to the work of their hands, to their basket and store; promises of all the arrangements of providence, promoting their well-being; the promises of angelic ministration, of supplies of grace, and of all the good they can possibly need. 2 Peter 1:4.

They are happy in the enjoyment of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God dwelleth in them, as a spirit of adoption, as their comforter and guide into all truth, as the earnest of the glory that shall be revealed. Rom. 8:9-18. They are happy in the prospect of eternal glory. To this glory they are called; for this glory they have a title and a growing meetness; and they know in whom they have believed, and that he will keep what they have committed to him against that day. They know that to live is Christ, but to die, eternal gain. They are looking with joy and glowing hope for the coming of the great God, even Jesus Christ, who shall come to be magnified in his saints, and admired and loved by all them that believe. 2 Thess. 1:10.

The happiness of the people of God extends to all places. In secret, in public, at home, and abroad, they are always in God's presence, and his watchful eye is over them. It extends to all times, — times of prosperity or adversity, health or sickness, life or death, time and eternity. It extends to all their need, in every possible variety of condition and circumstance. He watches, blesses, and supplies all their need, so that they may be happy in him all the day long; and he also gives them songs in the night. It is happiness which is permanent. The world can neither give it nor take it away; for God is their sun, shield, refuge, strength of their heart, exceeding great reward and portion forever.

Let the people of God rejoice in the loving-kindness of the Lord. They may, indeed, exult in God, and rejoice evermore.

Spokane, Wash.