“IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?”

“Is everybody happy? The short answer is no, according to a recent UMR survey taken over the past couple of years on the state of happiness in New Zealand.” ( That is the beginning of the commentary “Finding our happy place” in the LISTENER March 3 2012 )

Why the negative answer?

Because we are not to seek for happiness, we are to hunger after righteousness.

WE ARE NOT TO SEEK FOR HAPPINESS.

Why are we not to seek for happiness?

Is not the whole world seeking for happiness? Yes, the whole world is seeking for happiness ……. and does not find happiness. Happiness always escapes discovery.

WE ARE TO HUNGER AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Why are we to hunger after righteousness?

The BIBLE says in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperoues [that is, in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation] are those  who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!” [Isaiah 55:1,2] (THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this:

“According to the Scriptures happiness is never something that should be sought directly; it is always something that results from seeking something else.”