Not in infidelity

The witty Frenchman, Voltaire, was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born."

Not in pleasure

Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if any one did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and the grief are mine alone."

Not in money

Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying he is reported to have said: "I suppose I am the most miserable devil on earth."

Not in position and fame

Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake, manhood a struggle, old age a regret."

Thus they all agree: Voltaire, the literary infidel; Byron, the pleasure-loving poet; Gould, the multi-millionaire; Beaconsfield, the famous politician. One and all they confirm Solomon's verdict, though long centuries have rolled by since that Eastern potentate penned the words: "All is vanity and vexation of spirit" (Eccl. 2:17).

Happiness is to be found in none of these things. Where then, is it to be found?

The Lord Jesus said, "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you" (John 16:22).

The answer is simple:

In Christ alone.

Three great obstacles block the path of happiness. They must be met and removed.

First of all your sins stand in the way. Until the burden of sin is lifted you will never be thoroughly happy.

One sin pressing upon the conscience is enough to spoil the happiness of a lifetime, to say nothing of the happiness of eternity. You have sinned and therefore you need to be forgiven. Thank God there is forgiveness for you! He is the God of all grace, and the death and resurrection of Christ have enabled Him to righteously send the proclamation of forgiveness to everybody, and hence to you. His heart is love, and though your sins are many they need not hinder your blessing. God is more concerned about you than you have ever been about yourself; and there is cleansing and justification for you in virtue of the precious blood of Christ.

Again, there lies before you eternity, shrouded in gloom which is utterly impenetrable as far as we are concerned. So long as your future is dark and uncertain, you will never be thoroughly happy.

We are not surprised if you shrink back at the near approach of death. Many a man, strong both in body and mind, has quailed when the darkness of the day of wrath has cast its shadows across his path. And what can banish this dread from your heart, and light up the future for you? One thing alone—the knowledge of Christ as your own personal Saviour. If you put your case in His hands you may be certain of this: He will see you through; He will not only remove your sins, blotting them out, but He will give you a title to glory without a flaw. Heaven shall be your destiny, and you shall rejoice in hope of the glory of God. If you are Christ's your eternity is bright, and you may well rejoice.

And there are also the sorrows and troubles and problems of life, and while these weigh you down and crush your spirit you will never be thoroughly happy.

There is only one thing that will give you joy and victory day by day, and that, wonderful to say, is the very same thing that can remove the burden of your sins and light up your future with glory—the knowledge of Christ as your Saviour, and the might of His delivering power. He not only saves, but keeps.

When you can truly say: My past is forgiven, my future is bright, my present is victory, then, and not till then, will you be the possessor of happiness.

But remember these three things are to be found in Christ alone. Trust in Him for yourself, and you will say:

"Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me.
There's love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee."

—F.B.H.