The Secret of a Happy Life

Text: Psalm 127:1

        Life is nothing without God. God created man with great aspiration to progress and move forward in all spheres of his endeavours. This desire had kept man labouring without ceasing. This restlessness and discontent generally develop themselves in man seeking outward escape from things, circumstances and miseries that can limit them. It is, however, regrettable that these man-made ways of escape generally carry us, as they did the Israelites out of one trouble, only to land us in another.

           Man’s effort will continue to be futile except he receives help from God. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127: 1).

We are utterly helpless except we trust and depend on God for our life, direction and sustenance. David knew this and inspite of the various adversities he went through including the many attempts by King Saul to kill him, he depended on the Lord. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). Our Lord Jesus authoritatively affirmed “…for without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Efforts of man can be ultimately successful only when they receive the favour of God. This is because “it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:16). You can overcome the current challenges of life you are going through only when you realize that God is turning the adversities and misfortunes of life Satan plans to choke you as stepping stones to climb the ladder of success in your life. What are your testimonies? Have you allowed the voice of Satan and his agents to overwhelm you with unbelief and doubt that you can never make it in your marriage, business, studies and in all endeavours of life? Now is the time to make an enduring decision to follow Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

          God wants us to depend on Him the Giver and Sustainer of man’s life. It is when a man discovers God and His saving power that the secret of a happy life can be revealed to him. When a sinner repents of his sins, he receives pardon and power to live successfully and happily in times of sorrows. You cannot live without God for Life without Christ is full of crises.             

Things to reflect/ponder on

• List some practical things that you need to do daily to show your dependence and trust in God and ask Him to empower you.