There’s Always Enough Reason to Smile 

The pressure of daily living can take toll on even the toughest and most valiant of men. No matter how hard one tries to put on a positive outlook in life, there really are times when frustration and sorrow predominate, turning smiles of joy into tears of sorrow. But for the faithful servants of God, there is always enough reason to be glad and keep smiling despite all the sad things they may be going through. 

  

God and the salvation He gave 

Above all else, God is the ultimate source of joy of His faithful servants. People of God can relate well to such statement because they, too, have been clothed by God with salvation when they were baptized into Christ as part of his body. Hence, even if they lack in many things in this world, they still feel complete, knowing that they have found favor with God.   

Having been brought by Him to the kingdom of His beloved son where there is redemption from sin, they can say with confidence, “We are always happy, even in times of need. Though we own nothing, we have everything. Having Christ as their savior, they find comfort and inspiration in Him and in His promise of eternal happiness.   

While it is clear to them that life in this world is full of sorrow and grief, the faithful Christians do not drown themselves in misery. Though trouble come sweeping them off their feet, they bounce back and move on, looking forward to the genuine and unending joy that awaits them when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. Such a happy, peaceful life they will enjoy throughout eternity in the home He prepares for them.     

God’s commands and the reward of obeying them 

What further give joy to God’s people despite their problems in life are His commandments. God’s servants take pleasure in hearing and learning the truth of God’s words. So, they do not forsake the congregational worship service, for it is during such gatherings in the Lord’s house that they receive His words.   

More than simply listening, they do obey and put into practice God’s commands, such as sharing their faith, giving offerings, and performing other church duties. They allow no obstacles to prevent them from fulfilling what God wants them to do, for they know that patient endurance is necessary in order for them to continue to do God’s will and thus, receive His promises. God’s promise to His obedient servants includes blessings even in this life.   

“Happy are those who obey the Lord, who live by his commands. Your work will provide for your needs; you will be happy and prosperous. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in your home, and your sons will be like young olive trees around your table. A man who obeys the Lord will surely be blessed like this.” (Psalms 128:1-4).   

Coming to the house of the Lord to praise and worship God brings gladness to His people. They find joy and comfort in gathering together, singing hymns, and offering prayers to God inside the house of worship, for, it is the place God chose and consecrated where He promised to hear the prayers of His people:   

“I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be forever; and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” (II Chr. 7:16, 15).   

The savior Jesus Christ also assured his disciples that whenever they gather in his name, he shall be with them through the Holy Spirit he will send from the father to help, comfort, and guide them. Thus, their earnest desire and longing is to dwell in the house of the Lord, to seek him in his temple all the days of their life.     

Ready for the worse, hoping for the best 

While the reality of day-to-day living shows so many things making people sad, the truth of God’s words proves that there are plenty more reasons for His people to be glad. Knowing that life in this world is short and full of trouble, the faithful servants of God are ready for the worse while hoping for the best. Ready for the worst because things can only get much more difficult in this world. Hoping for the best, because what awaits them is something much better, the greatest reward of all, and so, they remain glad and never become discouraged, no matter what.   

“For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.” (II Cor. 4:18, 16-17). 

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