October 21:  Happy People.

The Joy Found in Repentance.
And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.---Luke 19:5, 6, NKJV

MANY CARAVANS ON THEIR WAY to the festival passed through Jericho.  Their arrival was always a festive season, but now a deeper interest stirred the people.  It was known that the Galilean Rabbi who had so lately brought Lazarus to life was in the throng; and though whispers were rife as to the plottings of the priests, the multitudes were eager to do Him homage....

...Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus.  The report of One who had borne Himself with kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide.  In this chief of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life....

...The news sounded through Jericho that Jesus was entering the town.  Zacchaeus determined to see Him....

The streets were crowded, and Zacchaeus, who was small of stature, could see nothing over the heads of the people.  None would give way for him; so, running a little in advance of the multitude, to where a wide-branching fig tree hung over the way, the rich tax collector climbed to a seat among the boughs, whence he could survey the procession as it passed below.  The crowd comes near, it is going by, and Zacchaeus scans with eager eyes to discern the one figure he longs to see.

...Suddenly, just beneath the fig tree, a group halts, the company before and behind comes to a standstill, and One looks upward whose glance seems to read the soul.  Almost doubting his senses, the man in the tree hears the words, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house."

The multitude give way, and Zacchaeus, walking as in a dream, leads the way toward his own home....

...Christ went to his house to give him lessons of truth, and to instruct his household in the things of the kingdom.  They had been shut out from the synagogues by the contempt of rabbis and worshipers; but now, the most favored household in all Jericho, they gathered in their own home about the divine Teacher, and heard for themselves the words of life.--The Desire of Ages, 552,-554, 556.

October 20:  Happy People.

The Joy Found in Preparing the Savior's way.
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice.  Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled."--John 3:29, NKJV

JOHN HAD BY NATURE the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him.  He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy.  He...showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.

...John represented himself as the friend who acted as a messenger between the betrothed parties, preparing the way for the marriage.  When the bridegroom had received his bride, the mission of the friend was fulfilled.  He rejoiced in the happiness of those whose union he had promoted.  So John had been called to direct the people to Jesus, and it was his joy to witness the success of the Saviour's work.  He said, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease."

Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation.  He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God.  He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness.  Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.--The Desire of Ages, 179.

                              John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying,
                            "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me
                                  is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
                              
                                                     --John 1:15, NKJV

October 19:  Happy People.

The Joy of Having a Unique Son.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth."--Luke 1:13, 14, NKJV

FROM AMONG THE FAITHFUL IN ISRAEL, who had long waited for the coming of the Messiah, the forerunner of Christ arose.  The aged Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were "both righteous before God;" and in their quiet and holy lives the light of faith shone out like a star amid the darkness of those evil days.  To this godly pair was given the promise of a son, who should "go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways."

Zacharias dwelt in "the hill country of Judea," but he had gone up to Jerusalem to minister for one week in the temple, a service required twice a year from the priests of each course....

He was standing before the golden altar in the holy place of the sanctuary.  The cloud of incense with the prayers of Israel was ascending before God.  Suddenly he became conscious of a divine presence.  An angel of the Lord was "standing on the right side of the altar."  The position of the angel was an indication of favor, but Zacharias took no note of this.  For many years he had prayed for the coming of the Redeemer; now heaven had sent its messenger to announce that these prayers were about to be answered; but the mercy of God seemed too great for him to credit.  He was filled with fear and self-condemnation.

But he was greeted with the joyful assurance: "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord,...and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost."--The Desire of Ages, 97, 98.

October 18:  Happy People.

Rejoicing at Christ's Royal Entry.
When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.  "Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"--Luke 19:37, 38, NLT

CHRIST WAS FOLLOWING THE JEWISH custom for a royal entry.  The animal on which He rode was that ridden by the kings of Israel, and prophecy had foretold that thus the Messiah should come to His kingdom.  No sooner was He seated upon the colt than a loud shout of triumph rent the air.  The multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King.  Jesus now accepted the homage which He had never before permitted, and the disciples received this as proof that their glad hopes were to be realized by seeing Him established on the throne.  The multitude were convinced that the hour of their emancipation was at hand.  In imagination they saw the Roman armies driven from Jerusalem, and Israel once more an independent nation.

All were happy and excited; the people vied with one another in paying Him homage.  They could not display outward pomp and splendor, but they gave Him the worship of happy hearts.  They were unable to present Him with costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, and they also strewed the leafy branches of the olive and the palm in the way.  They could lead the triumphal procession with no royal standards, but they cut down the spreading palm boughs, Nature's emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamation and hosannas.--The Desire of Ages, 570.

                          " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'
                                        Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
                              
                                                               --Luke 19:38, NKJV

October 17:  Happy People.

The Wise Men Rejoice for the Lord's Guidance.
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where thy young Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.--Matthew 2:9, 10, NKJV

THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST were philosophers.  They belonged to a large and influential class that included men of noble birth, and comprised much of the wealth and learning of their nation....

...As these magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator.  Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures.  In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher....But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed.  The magi learned with joy that His coming was near, and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem.  As the light faded, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky....Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One?...Through dreams they were instructed to go on in search of the newborn Prince....

...The journey, though long, was a happy one to them.

They have reached the land of Israel, and are descending the Mount of Olives, with Jerusalem in sight, when, lo, the star that has guided them all the weary way rests above the temple, and after a season fades from their view.  With eager steps they pass onward, confidently expecting the Messiah's birth to be the joyful burden of every tongue.  But their inquiries are in vain.  Entering the holy city, they repair to the temple.  To their amazement they find none who seem to have knowledge of the newborn king....

The wise men departed alone from Jerusalem.  The shadows of the night were falling as they left the gates, but to their great joy they again saw the star, and were directed to Bethlehem.--The Desire of Ages, 59, 60, 63.

October 16:  Happy People.

The King Was Exceedingly Glad That Daniel's God Was Able.
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.--Daniel 6:23, NKJV

IT PLEASED DARIUS to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first" (Daniel 6:1, 2).

The honors bestowed upon Daniel excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom, and they sought for occasion of complaint against him.  But they could find none, "forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error of fault found in him."...

Thereupon the presidents and princes, counseling together, devised a scheme whereby they hoped to accomplish the prophet's destruction.--Prophets and Kings, 539, 540.

"The king...was sore displeased..., and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him....Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him" (Daniel 6:14, 18).

God did not prevent Daniel's enemies from casting him into the lion's den; He permitted evil angels and wicked men thus far to accomplish their purpose; but it was that He might make the deliverance of His servant more marked, and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness more complete....

Early the next morning King Darius hastened to the den and "cried with a lamentable voice," "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?"

The voice of the prophet replied: "O king, live forever.  My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."...

"Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den."--Prophets and Kings, 543, 544,

October 15:  Happy People.

Joy in Deliverance From Death.
The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.  And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday.  Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.--Esther 8:16, 17, NKJV

DARIUS HYSTASPES, under whose reign the Jews had been shown marked favor, was succeeded by Xerxes the Great.  It was during his reign that those of the Jews who had failed of heeding the message to flee were called upon to face a terrible crisis.  Having refused to take advantage of the way to escape God had provided, now they were brought face to face with death....

...In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom.  Mordecai was a near relative of hers.  In their extremity they decided to appeal to Xerxes on behalf of their people....

The events that followed in rapid succession,--the appearance of Esther before the king, the marked favor shown her, the banquets of the king and queen with Haman as the only guest, the troubled sleep of the king, the public honor shown Mordecai, and the humiliation and fall of Haman upon the discovery of his wicked plot,--all these are parts of a familiar story.  God wrought marvelously for His penitent people; and a counter decree issued by the king, allowing them to fight for their lives, was rapidly communicated to every part of the realm by mounted couriers, who were "hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment."   "And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.  And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them."  Esther 8:14, 17.--Prophets and Kings, 600-602.

October 14:  Happy People.

The Joy Found in Reformation.
And he brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony; they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" ....So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword in the king's house.--2 Kings 11:12, 20, NKJV

THE LEVITES AND ALL JUDAH" (2 Chronicles 23:8) united with Jehoiada the high priest in crowning and anointing the child Joash and acclaiming him their king.  "And they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king."  2 Kings 11:12.

"Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord."  2 Chronicles 23:12.  "And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets."

"Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason."  2 Kings 11:14.  But Jehoidah commanded the officers to lay hold of Athaliah and all her followers and lead them out of the temple to a place of execution, where they were to be slain.

...Immediately after the execution of the impenitent queen "all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars."  Verse 18.

A reformation followed.  Those who took part in acclaiming Joash king, had solemnly coventanted "that they should be the Lord's people."  And now that the evil influence of the daughter of Jezebel had been removed from the kingdom of Judah, and the priests of Baal had been slain and their  temple destroyed, "all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet."  2 Chronicles 23:16, 21.--Prophets and Kings, 215, 216.

October 13:  Happy People.

Rejoicing for Wisdom and Prosperity.
"Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!  Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel!  Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."--1 Kings 10:8, 9, NKJV

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA came to visit Solomon.  Hearing of his wisdom and of the magnificent temple he had built, she determined "to prove him with hard questions" and to see for herself his famous works.  Attended by a retinue of servants, and with camels bearing "spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones," she made the long journey to Jerusalem.  "And when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart."  She talked with him of the mysteries of nature; and Solomon taught her of the God of nature, the great Creator, who dwells in the highest heaven and rules over all.  "Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not,"  1 Kings 10:1-3; 2 Chronicles 9:1, 2....

By the time of the close of her visit the queen had been so fully taught by Solomon as to the source of his wisdom and prosperity that she was constrained, not to extol the human agent, but to exclaim, "Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore made He thee king, to do judgment and justice."  1 Kings 10:9.--Prophets and Kings, 66, 67.

                 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
                     Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom,
                                                which God had put in his heart.
                                                                                       --1 Kings 10:23, 24 NKJV

October 12:  Happy People.

The Joy of Having a King.
So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal.  There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.--1 Samuel 11:15, NKJV

SAMUEL CONVOKED THE PEOPLE AT MIZPEH.  Prayer was offered for divine guidance; then followed the solemn ceremony of casting the lot.  In silence the assembled multitude awaited the issue.  The tribe, the family, and the household were successively designated, and then Saul, the son of Kish, was pointed out as the individual chosen.  But Saul was not in the assembly.  Burdened with a sense of the great responsibility about to fall upon him, he had secretly withdrawn.  He was brought back to the congregation, who observed with pride and satisfaction that he was of kingly bearing and noble form, being "higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward."  Even Samuel, when presenting him to the assembly, exclaimed, "See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?"  And in response arose from the vast throng one long, loud shout of joy, "God save the king!"--Patriarchs and Prophets, 611.

Samuel now proposed that a national assembly should be convoked at Gilgal, that the kingdom might there be publicly confirmed to Saul.  It was done; "and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly."--Patriarchs and Prophets, 613.