Title Happiness
Contents
Hymn : 305 (New Hymn 559) 'Spring Wind Blows in All Seasons'
Meditation: According to the Bible, happiness depends on loving one another rather than having more or less material things.
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
main text: '… It is better to eat vegetables and to love one another than to eat fat cattle and hate one another” (Proverbs 15:16-17).
There is no person born in this world who does not want to be happy. Also, probably no one married because they wanted to be unhappy when they got married. They married because they wanted everyone to be happy, and they must have worked hard and made sacrifices for that happiness. If so, is your family happy now? In general, when people think of a happy family, they think of a family that is economically prosperous, or a family with a head of high honor, status, or knowledge.
Today we can see two conditions for families to enjoy happiness in the text. The fear of the Lord is the source of all blessings. Because it brings true peace of mind, wisdom, and precious blessings in life. Therefore, they are not overly worried about material poverty and lead a peaceful and enjoyable life. In God who is the Rock, our happiness will not be shaken by material things. However, those who do not fear the Lord put their hope in wealth and not only worry and struggle to accumulate wealth, but also become wealthy, so they will have a lot of trouble to keep their wealth in the future. Therefore, despite having so much wealth that others would envy, he will live a life full of worries and worries rather than pleasures.
Therefore, the text clearly states that the condition of a person's true happiness is not riches, but the fear of the Lord. If we find happiness in the things of the world that will come and go today, our happiness will also disappear with them. Happiness depends on loving one another rather than having more or less (v. 17). God says in the text that it is better to eat vegetables and love one another than to eat fat cattle and hate one another. We mistakenly believe that many fat cows will lead to an abundant life. Even if the family income is minimal, even if they eat vegetables, they love God and love and care for each other in the family.
Prayer: God, give us a heart to be content with what we have, and give our homes the faith to love You and to love our families. I pray in Jesus name. Amen
Lord's Prayer