People always ask, why does God allow suffering? If God loves man so much why does He allow so much pain and sorrow in the world? Don't we realise that the suffering we see i caused by us and us alone? By our sheer wickedness and selfishness?

Look at all the great wars in history. Look at how for thousands of years man has sought to destroy man for power and for money. Look at the Holocaust; look at the depths of wickedness that man can descend to. Even today, if only those of us in the world who are more blessed would be willing to stop chasing after our own benefits and reach out to the help the millions of needy people, the world would be a much better place. The problem the world faces is not shortage of food or money. It's gross unequal distribution of those things. And until today man still cannot come to agreement or peace.

Yet think about it; the very fact that the human race is still alive today, and not destroyed by itself is testimony to the fact that God loves. That He has made good triumph over evil in every conflict in history. What if the Hitler had won World War II? What if the Japanese were still ruling Singapore today? And there are a thousand other what ifs. God loves us so very much; the question is, when will we learn to love?

So if we ever think God is to blame, think about what the Terminator said- "It's in your nature to destroy yourselves."

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

Do we know the joy of the Lord in our lives? I say joy, not happiness. So often we try to find happiness in the things of this world- in material things, in relationships, in our own pursuits. And often we can find it. But happiness is dependent on circumstances; I'm sure you would agree with me that there are times in our lives when it is just so difficult to be happy. When nothing seems to be going right, when all avenues to happiness seem closed. In growing closer to the Lord, He will call us to give up things. Things that mean a lot to us. We will face trials and obstacles because of our faith; for some, we may face disapproval. The Christian walk is often filled with hardships and sorrows. Not a single Biblical hero had an easy life, from Abraham and Moses all the way to Jesus Himself.

The thing is, Jesus never said that we would be happy all the time, but He promised something better. "...in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Paul echoes, "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Cor. 6:10.

We may not be happy all the time, but we can have His joy all the time. And note the words of the Psalm- "fulness of joy". Because joy in the Lord does not rest in circumstances; it rests in knowing the greatness and depth of God's love for us, and knowing that nothing can ever break that love. It rests in knowing that no matter how bad the situation may seem, Jesus has "overcome the world", and all things work for good to those who love God. It rests in being at the centre of God's will, and seeing His marvellous plans unfold in our lives. It rests in being able to help others in need, in bringing joy to others who need it. "...as poor, yet making many rich.." Indeed, even if we have nothing else in this world, the joy of the Lord would still be there, and in Jesus we have everything we would ever need. "...as having nothing, and yet possessing all things..." And isn't that a much greater, stronger thing than temporal happiness?

I myself often struggle to take joy in the Lord and His will, when all other things that I love are stripped away. Yet our gracious Lord is teaching me more and more how to rejoice in Him, and it is truly wonderful. If we don't have God's joy in our lives, then we are missing out on a very important part of the Christian walk. As Jesus said,

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11.

Make the choice this day, to rejoice in the Lord. And ask Him to teach you how to.