Esther 5:9a So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart;

When I was a young we had a cabin on Rainy Lake in Canada. We enjoyed those annual fishing trips. The lake was big! You needed a motorboat to get around. But you also needed a map. A special map of the lake that showed water depths. Because a lot of places looked good - they looked safe, but they had big rocks just under the surface. Without paying attention to those maps, a person could be having a great day, joyful and with a glad heart as they motored along, but not realizing that they were about to have a very bad day indeed.

Haman was having a very good day! He was joyful and had a glad heart! And why not? He had just enjoyed a private banquet with the King and Queen! Who else was treated this way!? His plans were all coming together. He was second in command. He was wealthy. He had gotten the King to sign the decree that would exterminate the Jews. Soon, all his troubles would be over! Or so he thought.

We sometimes get the idea that happiness is the ultimate goal in life. It’s very common for parents to say of their children, “I just want them to be happy.” It’s understandable, even if it is a little shortsighted. Haman was happy. But Haman was also evil, wicked, and vile! So his happiness was short-lived.

If a person lives their life without consulting God’s map - the Bible - they might be happy for a time. You might be able to take a snapshot of their life and make a compelling Instagram post that looks ‘#blessed’. But it could be also that they’re about to smash into unseen rocks also!

It’s not that God doesn’t want me to be happy. But it’s not the top priority. He is far more concerned with my holiness than with my happiness. True joy and true happiness come with a clean conscience and a close walk with God. When I follow God I can know that He will be with me and guide me. I will be at peace with God and that is the recipe for true happiness!

Blessings,

Pastor Russ