INTRODUCTION

A great deal of time, strength, and money is spent each day in hopes of obtaining happiness, yet man has never been more empty than he is today. How can a people so desperately intent upon finding happiness find happiness to be so illusive? Because happiness is not found in entertainment, money, appearance, social acceptance, careers, achievements, spouses, or any other number of things wherein men continually search. Instead, happiness is the lot of the man "whose hope is in the LORD his God." Hope can keep a man going when all other wells have run dry. It can put a song in man’s heart and praise on his lips regardless of the circumstances he faces.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) True joy comes when we hope in what God has done for us and what He has promised in the future. Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: [9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
  See All... and 2 Corinthians 4:8-17 [8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; [10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. [11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. [12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you. [13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; [14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. [16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
  See All.... Nothing else will satisfy like knowing God and having hope of being with Him (Psalm 17:15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
  See All...; Psalm 107:9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
  See All...).
• Are you happy? If not, why? Have you searched worldly means in hopes of finding happiness? How has the world disappointed you?
• How can hope keep a man happy? How does a lack of hope cause sorrow (i.e., 1 Thessalonians 4:13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
  See All...)? Which would you rather experience on a daily basis?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for the hope we have in Him.
• Ask God to show you whether or not you are truly happy.

HYMN

Joy Unspeakable

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