“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jer. 20:9)
I have noticed a trend over the last several decades, one that when contemplated at length is quite disconcerting, that of the happy Christian. Some of the men of God who have come before us have even uttered the statement that in effect it is not seemly for a Christian to walk around with a scowl on their face, it does not, in their opinion, express the joy they are to have in their heart because of their love for the Lord.
It is why I opened this short letter to you with a verse from Jeremiah, what many like to call “The weeping prophet.” He was told by the Lord God what was going to happen to the entire nation of Israel and Judah. Not much incentive to walk around with a smile on your face, is it?
Nearly every prophet in the Old Testament can be envisioned with a scowl on their face, a stern look, one who has been sent with a message that cannot be altered. The apostles were of the same nature, “Jesus Christ is the Messiah” was their message, always brought with joy, but not with continuous smiles, for the majority of the people wanted them dead or at least gone, along with all the first century Christians. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
I offer this truth to you, if the world does not hate you, then you may need to seriously reevaluate just who it is you say you are serving.
Nearly everyone that we witness to for the glory of God who heeds the call is at the bottom of a well, so to speak, their life is far from pleasant, adverse circumstances have left them with nothing but pain and sorrow, and they are blessed by the Lord God with faith to come to the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. At that moment, and indeed for the rest of their lives, our lives, we have an unspeakable joy that resides within us, we are forgiven, we are children of the Most High, the smile, at least internally, never goes away. We live in eternal hope, realized, but not yet completely fulfilled.
For these last few decades, perhaps by the intent of Satan, perhaps by those who only profess the Lord with their lips, many have decided that an external happiness should be exhibited to the world of the lost, and the inner turmoil, if they ever experience it, of the truths of the Word of God are to be held in check. “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14) is just one example of these truths.
Most everyone that you meet will not be entering into the Kingdom of the Most High, and that should not bring a smile to your face, but tears. But there are other verses in these days that we live in, the shadow of the future is cast before it arrives. “And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” (Mark 13:20) I ask you this, if you realize what is approaching, if you can see the surety, for lack of a better set of words, the sure signs of the coming Tribulation time upon this world, and understand that billions of people are going to die soon, how do you walk around with a smile on your face?
How do you give the warning call from the wall of the end of the age of grace with happiness beaming from your face?
Perhaps many will not admit it to themselves, perhaps it is as I have witnessed countless times in the past two years or so, self-centered “Christians” who desire for the rapture while not considering at length those who will be left behind. I understand fully the difference between happiness and joy, I understand and fully know that inner smile that comes with the knowledge that I have been saved by grace, but I also know what is approaching, and I find it impossible to speak to those I meet with a smile on my face while I tell them billions of people are going to die soon. If His words are burning in your bones, you understand this short letter.
