Oswald Chambers: Joy - Strength In The LordSample

God’s blessings fall, like His rain, on evil and good alike. The great blessings of health, genius, prosperity, all come from His overflowing grace, and not from the condition of the character of the recipients. For instance, if health were a sign that a man is right with God, we should lose all distinction as to what a good character is, for many bad men enjoy good health.

There is a difference between environment and circumstances. Every man has his own environment; it is that element in his circumstances which fits his disposition. We each make our own environment, our personality does it for us. Happiness means we select only those things out of our circumstances that will keep us happy. It is the great basis of false Christianity. The Bible nowhere speaks about a “happy” Christian; it talks plentifully of joy. Happiness depends on things that happen. Joyfulness is never touched by external conditions.

Reflection Questions: How does adversity affect my joy? Do I measure God’s love by His blessings to me?

Quotations taken from God’s Workmanship and The Shadow of an Agony, © Discovery House Publishers