From: George Mooth <>
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian
Subject: Our Daily Bread "Happiness And Faith"
Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 10:49:07 -0500

June 3 Wednesday

HAPPINESS AND FAITH

Read: Romans 8:28-39

May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope.
-Romans 15:13

The chorus of the old hymn "At The Cross" concludes with these
cheerful words: "And now I am happy all the day!" I don’t know about
you, but I can’t honestly say that just because I know Jesus as my
Savior I’m happy all day. I’m a rather optimistic person and I don’t
let much get me down, but some circumstances don’t warm my heart and
make me smile.

Troubles may make us wonder: Isn’t our faith supposed to make us
happy all the time? Shouldn’t Jesus shelter us from harm and danger?

Some people teach these things, but the Bible doesn’t. God’s Word
makes it clear that we will have trouble. In Romans 8, for example, the
apostle Paul talked frankly about tough times we could face (vv.35-39).
The fact is, Jesus doesn’t protect us from all trouble, but His love and
His companionship guide us as we go through it.

A more realistic attitude than being "happy all the day" is one
stated by a Christian who said, "Now that I’m saved I’m happier when I
am down than I was when I was happy before I was saved."

With Jesus Christ, we can have real joy and make it through even the
bad times. -J. David Branon

The hope we have in Jesus Christ
Brings joy into our heart;
And when we know the love of God,
His peace He will impart. -Sper

HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON HAPPENINGS,
BUT JOY DEPENDS ON JESUS.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1998 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.