We Are Not Entitled to Happiness

Joy and Happiness are not the same thing. They cannot be when dealing with Hebrews 12:2 -

"12:1 Therefore...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

For along time I thought this was joy:



Hebrews 12:2 tells me that this (Christ, before He was crucified) is a more accurate depiction of the joy that is promised by God to those that are His:


Mark 12:23 "And he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.'"

And remember John 13:16!
"Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."

Happiness is NOT promised to us. Try as we might, but if God commands, and we shake if off saying, 'This would make me miserable and God would not want me miserable, so this must obviously not be for me' then we are basically worthless (Luke 14:34-35)... If we are servants of Christ then the best we can expect is death on the cross... We have all heard the Christianese phrase "Bare your cross." Well, Jesus was not happy carrying His cross, but Hebrews 12:2 said He endured it with joy.

Happiness is fleeting. The first thing to go when difficulty comes is happiness. That is why Christ cried out for us to chase joy, not happiness - God exalting, worship creating, dark-day sustaining joy.

(thank you Matt Chandler)