Happiness is Meat to Eat?

The text today sees the Hebrew children freed from slavery in Egypt. You would think they would be grateful for all God was doing for them, but, well, let’s read our text:

Numbers 11:4-6

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

God had freed them and feed them in their journey. He gave them “manna” to eat but this soon began to leave them unsatisfied. “If only we had meat to eat..we never see anything but this manna.” We have all known people who were never satisfied with anything. God gave them the food of angels, manna, but they wanted more. They needed meat! The statement, “If only we had meat to eat” implies that then they would be happy and content. 

No they would not have. I love the story of the lady who worked as a maid for a rich family. It was Christmas and the rich people opened their gifts. Watches, TV’s, and jewelry were freely given, but they were not content. They griped about what they wanted instead. The maid had enough and told them how they were acting. “I can’t believe you can’t be happy with all you have  .” She took a breath then continued, “If I only had $100 dollars, I’d be the happiest person on earth.”

The father said, “Really? Okay!” He then gave her $100. She smiled and thanked him. She skipped happily out of the room. Once out of the room she whispered, “I wish I had said $200.”

If you can’t learn to be happy with 100 then 200 won’t fix that problem. 

Happiness is an inside job. It begins with the heart and not with watches, or jewelry or even $100. It starts when we realize how blessed we are and make up our minds to be happy.

How happy are you? I know sometimes they are hard days, but then you have to turn from those days and decide to be happy again.

Let me leave you with one last scripture today. I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.”

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.