Four Rules to Make You Happy

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 5:3

If man were infinitely wise, and could draw up a code for himself, which would involve no hardship, and entail all that was happy, he could devise no regulations more healthful, more profitable, or more pleasant than those of the Savior. (Charles Spurgeon)

For many people, the existence of God's law is proof that he opposes human happiness. "If God really wanted me to be happy, he wouldn't put all these laws in my way." Thus, every day, billions of people try to throw off God's law, cast it behind their backs, and run away from it as fast as possible. What they don't realize is that instead of escaping hardship, they are escaping happiness.

Here are four reasons why we should trust and obey God's laws as designed for our happiness:

1. God knows us. As our Creator, he knows what is best for us in our bodies, minds, relationships, lifestyle, communities, and so on. He has observed billions of human lives over the years and knows what works well and what doesn't.
2. God knows our world. He knows the dangers of this world better than we do and has designed his laws as boundaries, as fences to keep us in safe places and away from the danger zones. He knows what damages and what destroys us.
3. God knows the future. When people change God's law, they cannot foresee the consequences. If politicians and judges could look down the road and see all the implications of their legislation and decisions, they often would change their plans. God sees down the road, views all the possible consequences, and therefore has never had to change one of His moral laws.
4. God knows the Gospel. God also designed the law to show us our sin and our need for a Savior. The law not only shows us the best way to live but also that we cannot live that life on our own, that we need Someone who did, and that we need the Holy Spirit to fuel our obedience.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Which of God’s laws have ever harmed you or our society? Which of God’s laws have helped you and our society? What should we do when people reject and replace God’s law?

PRAYER: Holy Law-giver, I thank you for your holy laws which reflect your goodness and beauty. Help me to love and obey your law. And when I don’t, forgive me for the sake of the perfect Law-keeper, Jesus Christ. Amen.