October 27:  Happy People.

The Joy Found in Conversion.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away.  The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way way rejoicing.--Acts 8:39, NLT

AND, BEHOLD, A MAN OF ETHIOPIA, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet."  This Ethiopian was a man of good standing and of wide influence.  God saw that when converted he would give others the light he had received and would exert a strong influence in favor of the gospel....By the ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch with one who could lead him to the light.

Philip was directed to go to the Ethiopian and explain to him the prophecy that he was reading....

The man's heart thrilled with interest as the Scriptures were explained to him; and when the disciple had finished, he was ready to accept the light given.  He did not make his high worldly position an excuse for refusing the gospel.  "As they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  " And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."--The Acts of the Apostles, 107, 108.

                              The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:
                                        "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
                                        And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
                                                   he did not open his mouth."
                                                                                       --Acts 8:32, NLT

October 26:  Happy People.

Joy Comes to Samaria.
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.  When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.  For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  So there was great joy in that city.--Acts 8:5, 8, NIV

AMONG THOSE TO WHOM THE SAVIOUR had given the commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19), were many from the humbler walks of life--men and women who had learned to love their Lord and who had determined to follow His example of unselfish service.  To those lowly ones, as well as to the disciples who had been with the Saviour during His earthly ministry, had been given a precious trust.  They were to carry to the world the glad tidings of salvation through Christ.

When they were scattered by persecution they went forth filled with missionary zeal....The Lord wrought through them.  Wherever they went, the sick were healed and the poor had the gospel preached unto them.

Philip, one of the seven deacons, was among those driven from Jerusalem.  He "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits...came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  And there was great joy in that city."--The Acts of the Apostles, 105, 106.

October 25:  Happy People.

Great Joy After the Ascension.
Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.--Luke 24:51, 52.

CHRIST HAD ASCENDED TO HEAVEN in the form of humanity.  The disciples had beheld the cloud receive Him.  The same Jesus who had walked and talked and prayed with them; who had broken bread with them; who had been with them in their boats on the lake; and who had that very day toiled with them up the ascent of Olivet,--the same Jesus had now gone to share His Father's throne.  And the angels had assured them that the very One whom they had seen go up into heaven, would come again even as He had ascended....

When the disciples went back to Jerusalem, the people looked upon them with amazement.  After the trial and crucifixion of Christ, it had been thought that they would appear downcast and ashamed.  Their enemies expected to see upon their faces an expression of sorrow and defeat.  Instead of this there was only gladness and triumph.  Their faces were aglow with a happiness not born of earth.  They did not mourn over disappointed hopes, but were full of praise and thanksgiving to God.  With rejoicing they told the wonderful story of Christ's resurrection and His ascension to heaven, and their testimony was received by many.--The Desire of Ages, 832.

October 24:  Happy People.

The Joy of the Disciples When They Saw the Risen Lord.
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.--John 20:20, NKJV

ON REACHING JERUSALEM the two disciples enter [returning from Emmaus] at the eastern gate, which is open at night on festal occasion.  The houses are dark and silent, but the travelers make their way through the narrow streets by the light of the rising moon.  They go to the upper chamber where Jesus spent the hours of the last evening before His death.  Here they know that their brethren are to be found.  Late as it is, they know that the disciples will not sleep till they learn for a certainty what has become of the body of their Lord.  They find the door of the chamber securely barred.  They knock for admission, but no answer comes.  All is still.  Then they give their names.  The door is carefully unbarred, they enter, and Another, unseen, enters with them.  Then the door is again fastened, to keep out spies.

The travelers find all in surprised excitement.  The voices of those in the room break out into thanksgiving and praise, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."  Then the two travelers, panting with the haste with which they have made their journey, tell the wondrous story of how Jesus has appeared to them. They have just ended, and some are saying that they cannot believe it, for it is too good to be true, when behold, another Person stands before them.  Every eye is fastened upon the Stranger.  No one has knocked for entrance.  No footstep has been heard.  The disciples are startled, and wonder what it means.  Then they hear a voice which is no other than the voice of their Master.  Clear and distinct the words fall from His lips, "Peace be unto you."...

They beheld the hands and feet marred by the cruel nails.  They recognized His voice, like no other they had ever heard...."Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."  Faith and joy took the place of unbelief, and with feelings which no words could express they acknowledged their risen Saviour.--The Desire of Ages, 802, 803.

October 23:  Happy People.

Great Joy at the News of the Resurrection.
The women ran quickly from the tomb.  They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message.--Matthew 28:8, NLT

THE WOMEN WHO HAD STOOD by the cross of Christ waited and watched for the hours of the Sabbath to pass.  On the first day of the week, very early, they made their way to the tomb, taking with them precious spices to anoint the Saviour's body....

The women had not all come to the tomb from the same direction.  Mary Magdalene was the first to reach the place; and upon seeing the stone removed, she hurried away to tell the disciples.  Meanwhile the other women came up.  A light was shining about the tomb, but the body of Jesus was not there.  As they lingered about the place, suddenly they saw that they were not alone.  A young man clothed in shining garments was sitting by the tomb.  It was the angel who had rolled away the stone...."Fear not ye," he said; "for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead."...

He is risen, He is risen!  The women repeat the words again and again.  No need now for the anointing spices.  The Saviour is living, and not dead.  They remember now that when speaking of His death He said that He would rise again.  What a day is this to the world!  Quickly the women departed from the sepulcher "with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word."--The Desire of Ages, 788, 789.

October 22:  Happy People.

The Seventy Disciples Rejoiced in His Power.
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.--Luke 10:17, NKJV

LIKE THE TWELVE APOSTLES, the seventy disciples whom Christ sent forth later received supernatural endowments as a seal of their mission.  When their work was completed, they returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name,"  Jesus answered, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  Luke 10:17, 18.

Henceforth Christ's followers are to look upon Satan as a conquered foe.  Upon the cross, Jesus was to gain the victory for them; that victory He desired them to accept as their own.  "Behold," He said, "I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Verse 19.

...It is true that Satan is a powerful being; but, thank God, we have a mighty Saviour, who cast out the evil one from heaven.  Satan is pleased when we magnify his power.  Why not talk of Jesus?  Why not magnify His power and His love?--The Ministry of Healing, 94.

                          In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said,
                          "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
               that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent
         and revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."
                                                                                      --Luke 1021, NKJV

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