I find it hard to claim a happy and prosperous life from God. Maybe it's just me.
It's just that when I read Hebrews 11:
'There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground...'
Then there's the traditional story of how the Disciples were martyred except for John who was exiled in Patmos and got to die at an old age.
Then there's our Christian brothers and sisters who live in countries that being a Christian means death.
How, how can I believe with all my heart that happiness, prosperity and even a comfortable life is what my God has instore for me and for everyone when all throughout the ages and even today, Christians are persecuted and martyred? I can't. It would be a slap to their faces that we would claim a different kind of Christian Life. It would seem that the Christian God favors us more than them. It would seem that our faith can bring us wealth and happiness while theirs lead to persecution. I just can't.
What I do claim are the promises of God that can be understood to be timeless.
All the other things that I want, I ask God but never hold on to it as if God is obliged simply because I claim it.
I do ask, I do pray, I do hope for a better life but my faith leads me to ask it humbly.
In the end, I think that what God promises us is not a life of happiness, but there will certainly be joy; not of prosperity and wealth but where I need not worry because He will provide; and a life of peace amidst all the sorrow in our broken world.
PS. What I also want to say is that what we believe about God and His Works should transcend time, culture and geography. What is true in the here and now should be true elsewhere, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
