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George Müller once said, “I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day, was to have my soul happy in the Lord”.

Are you happy in the Lord?

I bet you have a morning routine. You know the sort of thing: coffee first. Check your phone. Listen to the news; go for a run; have a shower; clean your teeth; get dressed; get the kids up; check your phone; make the kids’ breakfast; have another coffee; check the phone…

But do you include having your soul happy in the Lord?

 

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

and your faithfulness by night” (Ps 92: 1 – 2)

 

I remember listening to a prominent Christian leader years ago as he talked about his early morning “Quiet time” – his personal time on God’s Word and in prayer. The thing that struck me most was his insistence that giving thanks was one of the most important things he does.

It is Biblical of course, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5: 16 – 18). Paul’s instructions to express gratitude seem inextricably linked to rejoicing. As we give thanks, we also express joy. What a great way to find happiness at the beginning of the day!

Some of us are “morning people”; some would rather stay in bed. Some wake up eager to embrace a new day; others drag themselves into existence. But one thing we all have in common is that there are plenty of things to say “thank you” for.

The Christian leader told of how he reminds himself each morning that he is God’s child, that the Lord loves him unconditionally, that Christ’s death has covered his sins, that he is forgiven, saved, raised up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms. He gives thanks that each day is a new day and that the promises of God are as much for him as they were for anyone in all history. He is grateful that he has a purpose in God, and that he has specific tasks that God has called him to do, today and every day after that. And so much more.

A strange thing happened when I tried praying like that: I became deliriously happy.

It is indeed a good thing – a very good thing – to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises, and to speak out reminders of his love. Indestructible love which never wanes, changes its mind or grows cold. If that doesn’t make you happy, I don’t know what will!