Be Really Happy

Read Isaiah 61
 
Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor…10  Let me tell you how happy God has made me! For he has clothed made with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness.
 
ARE you happy today? Your immediate response to the question is to likely stop a minute and think about what is happening in your life. You might measure the good things in your life against the things that aren’t so good and then decide on your answer. Hopefully, the good outweighs the bad, and you answer, “Yes, I’m happy.” Or you might answer, “Mostly.” or “A little.” or even, “No. How could I be happy? Nothing is ever good for me.”
   Look, then, and see Isaiah’s answer. “Let me tell you how happy God has made me! For he has clothed made with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness.”
    What is happiness? In the world’s view, happiness is a feeling based on our desires and preferences. In the Kingdom of God, happiness is knowing you belong to God. You know God has dressed you in his salvation, draped you with his robe of righteousness. Happiness is freedom from sin’s oppression. Happiness is wearing God’s crown of beauty as he graciously bestows it upon you. Happiness is eternal salvation because of the LORD’s favor – his grace – upon you.
   As Isaiah 60, this passage is an expression of the gospel’s purpose. God’s salvation transforms our lives into God’s holy perfection. Jesus used this scripture in Luke 4:18-19 as he began his ministry in the Nazareth synagogue. At the conclusion of his reading he said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)  
   Jesus is the fullness of the law and the prophets. He is your release from the world’s view of happiness, which is truly an oppression of our hearts. Jesus frees us from empty striving into eternal, purposeful living in true happiness.
   Isaiah 61 is a wonderful celebration of God’s salvation, freeing people from their bondage of despair, dressing us in his glory. Take on that freedom in your heart. Rejoice in and enjoy God’s gift of life for you. Be truly happy!
 
Pause and Consider: how fleeting happiness is when you rely on worldly possessions and relationships. Focus your happiness on God’s gifts to you.