There are two reasons why a believer should always be happy. First, you’re saved…’nough said.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
- 2 Corinthians 9:15

Second, you have been given the Word of God to wash over you anytime you open your Bible and anytime the Holy Spirit reminds you of His Word.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
- John 14:23-27

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
- Romans 15:13

Do you really need more than these two reasons to answer the question, “Why should you be happy?” I don’t think so. Neither did other saints in the Bible.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Psalm 16:11

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- Psalm 37:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
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Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:4, 11-13

I suppose the right question to ask isn’t why should you be happy, but rather, why aren’t you happy, if not always so? A truly happy person is one who abides in God’s Word as a way of life. It has become them, who they are, so to speak. This person isn’t preoccupied with asking, “Why should I be happy?” because that is their status quo. However, it’s the child of God who finds themselves unhappy who needs to start asking questions.

We have so much to be thankful for that it’s a tragedy when we aren’t happy always (aka, filled with joy). Simply remembering all that the Lord has done for you, like sending His only begotten Son (John 3:16) to die for your sins, is always the best reset button. If we allow the gravity of His work on the Cross to hit home in our hearts, I’d argue it’s impossible to remain in a funk. The Gospel is everything to us, as it was to the Apostle Paul.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
- Romans 6:5-8

The Bible reminds us over and over again of the Gospel truth, right? And our Bible is always available to us, right? So, do the math. If this is the case, then our own happiness is always at our fingertips, isn’t it? You bet! So, should you be happy? Well, according to Holy Scripture, the answer is an emphatic “yes”!

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins