Proverbs 16:20; Ephesians 3:14-17
Whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Men want happiness, where shall they go for it?
CHARLES SIMEON (1759-1836): To inquiries after happiness, one answer only can be given. Every thing in the whole creation is forced to confess, “It is not in me, It is not in me.” It can be found in God alone.
ADAM CLARKE (1760-1832): “The depth saith, It is not in me, and the sea saith, It is not with me,” Job 28:14. Men may dig into the bowels of the earth, and there find gold, silver, and precious stones; but these will not give them true happiness. Men may explore foreign countries, and by navigation connect as it were the most distant parts of the earth, and multiply the comforts and luxuries of life; but every voyage and every enjoyment proclaim, True happiness is not here.
C. H. SPURGEON: If the swallow were to fly straight for the north pole in the hope of finding a genial climate, he would not be more foolish than most men are in their supposed pursuit of happiness! Some fly to unchastity and lasciviousness and, in this way both wreck their bodies and damn their souls! Some fly to money-grubbing, raking up their gold and silver till they fancy that they are wealthy, whereas, often the more a man has of these things the more he craves, and it is a poor thing that makes us want more than we have any need of.
CHARLES BRIDGES (1794-1869): “A man’s life,” therefore—his true happiness, “consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth,” Luke 12:15.
C. H. SPURGEON: Some fancy that they shall find pleasure in the approbation of their fellow men, but before long they discover that the breath of man’s nostrils can never fill an immortal soul.
ADAM CLARKE: Men miss the mark of true happiness in aiming at sensual gratifications; which happiness is to be found only in the possession and enjoyment of the favour of God, from whom their passions continually lead them. He alone hits the mark, and ceases from sin, who attains to God through Christ Jesus.
CHARLES SIMEON: The Psalmist’s choice was the only one that could be made consistently with true wisdom: “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good! Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us,” Psalm 4:6.
ADAM CLARKE: “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and wine increased,” Psalm 4:7. Thou hast given my soul what it wanted and wished for. I find now a happiness which earthly things could not produce. I have peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; such inward happiness as they cannot boast who have got the highest increase of corn and wine; those two things in the abundance of which many suppose happiness to be found.
CHARLES SIMEON: But on the other hand, it is possible to speak of earthly things in terms more contemptuous than either the Word of God, or the experience of His people will justify. It is not uncommon for persons professing the Gospel, or even preaching it, to represent earthly things as altogether worthless. But who is there that finds them so? Who is there that does not experience pain from the want, and satisfaction from the supply, of them? Nor is this feeling at all unbecoming a real Christian: for Christians are men; and, consequently, susceptible of pain or pleasure from the want or the enjoyment of the things that are needful for the body.
C. H. SPURGEON: Such things are not to be overlooked.
CHARLES SIMEON: Let anyone be honest, and he will confess that he is not so independent of earthly things as to feel no comfort from the possession of them, and no grief at their loss.
C. H. SPURGEON: Temporal blessings are not trifles, for the miss of them would be a dire calamity.
CHARLES SIMEON: As for those who affect voluntary poverty and privations, they are no more really mortified to the world than others: they prefer the gratification of their spiritual lusts to merely corporeal indulgences: and whatever they take out of the scale of earthly pleasure, they put, in full proportion, into the opposite scale of pride and self-complacency. They entertain a notion that the mortification of their bodies is meritorious, and that it will raise them in the estimation of God and man; and, under this impression, they pour contempt on earthly comforts. But they only exchange one lust for another that is equally hateful in the sight of God. Their superstition contradicts the testimony of God Himself, who, both under the Old Testament and the New, promises earthly things under the notion of blessings. The whole Mosaic law was enforced with promises of temporal prosperity. Was not that an acknowledgment that temporal prosperity contributed to our comfort? Even under the New Testament dispensation, we are told that “godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come,” 1 Timothy 4:8; and, that “God hath given us all things richly to enjoy,” 1 Timothy 6:18, which shows that enjoyment is connected with the possession of them.
C. H. SPURGEON: Temporal gifts are a part of happiness, but still the heart and soul of happiness lies in the people being right with God, and having a full possession of Him.
JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): What more can be sought for by a mortal man than to enjoy his God, in Whom there is the fullness of all blessings?
C. H. SPURGEON: Verily the true Christian has a portion of happiness allotted to him here below which far excels all the voluptuous pleasures and intoxicating joys of sense! He has a right to be cheerful, a duty to rejoice evermore! The worldling boasts that he is happier than you are—it is a vain boast, an empty vaunt. His mirth—what does it consists of but quips, cranks, and wanton wiles? His joys but flash and crack and sparkle—like thorns that burn for a few minutes, and then turn to ashes. Their fun will never compare with your happiness! They may have more laughter, but you have more liveliness. They dissipate their spirits, while you renovate your strength! Gloom follows their glee, but your calm eventides forestall bright tomorrows, and your present serenity is the sure presage of a welcome eternity!
C. H. MACKINTOSH (1820-1896): What more could be said?
JOHN CALVIN: God has offered Himself to you, and His bounty has ever been extended to you, as though He were a fountain from which you might draw enough to satisfy you.
ROBERT HAWKER (1753-1827): Yea, happy is that soul whose God is the Lord! Reader! Is this your portion? Can you call God your Father, Jesus your Redeemer, God the Spirit your Teacher, Sanctifier, and the Glorifier of Jesus?
EDWARD PAYSON (1783-1827): Consider how much it would promote your present happiness to possess such a character. Where can happiness be found on earth, if not in such a family? “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD,” Psalm 144:15.
