I think myself happy
Happiness, what you see is what you get.
When Paul made the statement recorded in Acts 26:2, he stood before a magistrate in bonds. Paul found himself in the court of Festus from Caesarea. While under Festus’ examination, Paul appealed to Caesar so that he might be extradited to Rome. As a Roman citizen he had the right to make the appeal and it was granted. Paul's purpose in this was that he might fulfill God’s command to bear witness of Him in Rome. Prior to this trial while on another journey, God had already visited him with these instructions and figured he might as well let the Roman government pay his ticket there.
But the setting of Acts 26 is while Paul awaited transfer to Rome. During this time King Agrippa stopped by to visit Festus and he expressed interest in a hearing with Paul. Fesuts granted the permission and so the day came and Paul was given the floor to speak to the court about his situation.
His opening statement to his audience: “I think myself happy”.
Just what was Paul happy about? In what frame of mind could he utter such a statement? Would the account he’d share bring him freedom? Would he be let go and his charges dismissed if his oratory & detailed explanation was well received? No.
The happiness he referred to was rooted in something that transcended his situation. Simply put, the opportunity placed before him would be another chance to evangelize a soul. Paul was proving exactly what he says later in a letter to the church at Philippi: “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Contentment and happiness are synonymous terms. Happiness does not arise from outward condition, but an inward disposition. Happiness is the opposite of discontentment, sadness, & restlessness.
Happiness is where you find it and rarely where you seek it.
This is an age where many are in constant pursuit of happiness. The only problem is that too many are looking in what really only brings a glance of happiness. While striving to feel good and complete isn’t wrong, false perceptions declare the Gift of Completeness & Fulfillment is packaged in a box marked FEELINGS.
This is inaccurate; false expectations based on “feelings” set you up for a fall. Feelings are generally reactive, regardless if they are positive or negative reactions. There is an escape from just living for a moment to “feel good”. It’s found in finding moments to live good.
Had Paul been entrapped in the snare of wanting to feel good, his circumstance could probably have robbed him of it. If he had reacted to his situation based on the actual facts, he would have missed it. His charges were trumped up; he was an innocent man. He could have spent his time arguing and fussing over why he was in court to begin with. Instead he saw an evangelistic opportunity and he would not miss it. He was happy, all was well and soon he would be en route to Rome.
This was not the first time he had “thought himself happy” in spite of circumstance. In Acts 16:23-25 we read about some prison time he had served (also unjustly) with another man of God.
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, & made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: & the prisoners heard them.”
Paul and Silas found a song in the night. There inspiration was found in internal disposition and they proved:
In prison, you can have a song.
In pain, you can have a song.
In poverty, you can have a song.
The only requirement is arriving at a place of realization that YOU are the person most responsible for your happiness. Your happiness is not situational or circumstantial, but internal.
When Paul made the statement recorded in Acts 26:2, he stood before a magistrate in bonds. Paul found himself in the court of Festus from Caesarea. While under Festus’ examination, Paul appealed to Caesar so that he might be extradited to Rome. As a Roman citizen he had the right to make the appeal and it was granted. Paul's purpose in this was that he might fulfill God’s command to bear witness of Him in Rome. Prior to this trial while on another journey, God had already visited him with these instructions and figured he might as well let the Roman government pay his ticket there.
But the setting of Acts 26 is while Paul awaited transfer to Rome. During this time King Agrippa stopped by to visit Festus and he expressed interest in a hearing with Paul. Fesuts granted the permission and so the day came and Paul was given the floor to speak to the court about his situation.
His opening statement to his audience: “I think myself happy”.
Just what was Paul happy about? In what frame of mind could he utter such a statement? Would the account he’d share bring him freedom? Would he be let go and his charges dismissed if his oratory & detailed explanation was well received? No.
The happiness he referred to was rooted in something that transcended his situation. Simply put, the opportunity placed before him would be another chance to evangelize a soul. Paul was proving exactly what he says later in a letter to the church at Philippi: “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Contentment and happiness are synonymous terms. Happiness does not arise from outward condition, but an inward disposition. Happiness is the opposite of discontentment, sadness, & restlessness.
Happiness is where you find it and rarely where you seek it.
This is an age where many are in constant pursuit of happiness. The only problem is that too many are looking in what really only brings a glance of happiness. While striving to feel good and complete isn’t wrong, false perceptions declare the Gift of Completeness & Fulfillment is packaged in a box marked FEELINGS.
This is inaccurate; false expectations based on “feelings” set you up for a fall. Feelings are generally reactive, regardless if they are positive or negative reactions. There is an escape from just living for a moment to “feel good”. It’s found in finding moments to live good.
Had Paul been entrapped in the snare of wanting to feel good, his circumstance could probably have robbed him of it. If he had reacted to his situation based on the actual facts, he would have missed it. His charges were trumped up; he was an innocent man. He could have spent his time arguing and fussing over why he was in court to begin with. Instead he saw an evangelistic opportunity and he would not miss it. He was happy, all was well and soon he would be en route to Rome.
This was not the first time he had “thought himself happy” in spite of circumstance. In Acts 16:23-25 we read about some prison time he had served (also unjustly) with another man of God.
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, & made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: & the prisoners heard them.”
Paul and Silas found a song in the night. There inspiration was found in internal disposition and they proved:
In prison, you can have a song.
In pain, you can have a song.
In poverty, you can have a song.
The only requirement is arriving at a place of realization that YOU are the person most responsible for your happiness. Your happiness is not situational or circumstantial, but internal.
posted by Pastor Cortes at 9:03 PM
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