God Makes Sense

Do you believe that if you act happy it will lead you to be happy?  How about if I told you about a Bible story that validated that idea?  Now certainly I would not state this as a perfect formula for happiness, but rather an important piece of the puzzle to being happy. 

In Acts chapter 16 Paul is thrown in prison for proclaining the news of Christ.  That sure doesn’t sound like something that would produce being in a good mood, and chances are Paul probably wasn’t happy about the turn of events.  Yet we read starting in verse 25 the following, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

Why were they singing and praising God?  They had been unjustly thrown in prison for serving God.  Unless you are crazy that does not make you happy.  But Paul and Silas decided to praise the Lord in spite of their circumstances.  I seriously doubt they were actually happy when they started singing.  Instead they acted happy.  This is different that “putting on an act”.  It is intentionally, willingly choosing to act happy even when you are not happy.

The result was that the prison was shaken and the doors and chains that were keeping them captive were opened.  You can draw your own analogy from that one pretty easily.  The further result was that when the prison guard was going to kill himself out of fear of what would happen to him when it was discovered his prisoners all escaped Paul and Silas were able to witness to him.  An even greater miracle then occurred when the prison guard and all his family weer saved that day.  Now, Paul and Silas had a reason to be happy.

Acting happy will not always function as cause and effect to be happy but it is very much an important part in actually being happy.  Don’t wait until you are happy to act happy.  Act happy first and let it lead to being happy.

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In the previous chapter in verse 24, the spies that Joshua had sent before the people brought back their report which ended with the statement, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”  Such confidence and boldness should be a trademark of God’s people.  Notice though, the key phrase that provides this confidence, “The LORD has surely given…”.   The confidence of a Christian is not to be found in themselves, but rather in their God.

In chapter 3, Joshua and the people set out from where they were and went to the Jordan and camped.   Wait a minute.  What about the Jordan?  This great river, which at this time of year had swollen to exceed her banks posed a real barrier to success.  How would they all get across?  Its one thing for a couple of spies to cross a flooded river, but for a large populous to do so is a daunting and perilous task at best. 

The people pressed on to the river without a plan of how to cross it.  They had not yet been told how they would cross the river, yet they proceeded on in faith.  This is how we, who seek to follow the Lord should proceed.  Matthew Henry writes in his commentary on this passage, “We must go on the way of our duty though we foresee difficulties, trusting God to help us through them when we come to them.”

After waiting on the Lord for three days they were given the orders to proceed.  The orders were specific.  The officers said, “”When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”  The result was the parting of the waters much like the Red Sea had done a generation earlier.  The order was given to to move before the waters had stopped flowing from upstream. 

Are you confident?  Is your confidence in God?  The ark of the covenant represented the promise and presence of God.  When you recognize the presence and the promise of God you should follow in confidence.  He will deliver you.

Its not important how many people know your name, but rather who knows your name.  Many throughout the ages have pursued fame and notoriety and forsaken what really matters, a relationship with Christ.   Having your name mentioned by thousands or even millions may bring a smile to your face, but it will not bring joy to your heart, especially eternal joy.

Rest assured, God knows your name.  Is it written in the Lambs book of life?  If you’d like to know more about how your name can be written in the Lambs Book of Life, please feel free to ask.