Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Episode: How to Be Happy
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson explores the biblical concept of happiness, especially in the context of New Year greetings. He reflects on the tension between desiring happiness and seeking holiness, how God intends true happiness for His children, and where Christians find lasting joy. Drawing on personal experiences, Scripture, and classic hymns, Ferguson offers encouragement for believers to root their happiness in their relationship with Christ, even through challenging circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dilemma of New Year’s Greetings

• Timestamp: 00:09 – 01:56

  • Ferguson shares his inner debate about how to greet people in the New Year.

    • Is it best to wish people a "Happy New Year" or a "Holy New Year"?
    • Quote:

      "When I was a young Christian, I was taught that God was more interested in my holiness than he was in my happiness. And I thought it would seem very strange if I started wishing people have a Holy New Year."
      — Sinclair B. Ferguson (00:45)

  • He recognizes that even wishing “happy” can feel problematic if someone later faces unhappiness.

2. The Biblical Basis for Happiness

• Timestamp: 01:56 – 03:20
  • Despite hesitation, the Bible does speak of happiness as desirable in the Christian life.
  • Ferguson reflects on how God, like every loving father, wants his children to be happy.
    • Quote:

      "Just as it's the desire of every earthly father that his children will be happy, then surely that's all the more true of our Heavenly Father."
      — Sinclair B. Ferguson (02:08)

  • Some Christians struggle to accept that God desires their happiness, possibly due to their earthly experiences or inner doubts.

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit and Our Security in Christ

• Timestamp: 03:20 – 05:10
  • The Holy Spirit assures believers of their adoption and God’s love.
  • True happiness is found when we fully belong to God and grow in the knowledge of Christ.
  • Ferguson acknowledges that Christian happiness may come through hard experiences as we learn not to seek happiness in lesser things.

4. Hymn Reflection: “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” by Toplady

• Timestamp: 05:10 – 07:32
  • Ferguson introduces a favorite hymn by Augustus Montagu Toplady.
    • Key verse:

      "My name from the palms of his hands / Eternity will not erase / Impressed on his heart it remains / In marks of indelible grace. Yes, I to the end shall endure / Assurance thee earnest is given. And then this more happy, but not more secure the glorified spirits in heaven."

  • He emphasizes that those in heaven are “happier... but not more secure” than believers on earth.
    • Quote:

      "They are happier. They see the face of Christ. They are set free from sin. But they're not more secure because you and I are held, if we're Christ's, in the hollow of his hand."
      — Sinclair B. Ferguson (06:45)

5. Present and Future Happiness for Christians

• Timestamp: 07:32 – End
  • Ultimate happiness comes in heaven: seeing Christ and being perfectly holy.
  • But real happiness is available now through fellowship with Jesus — though sometimes learned through difficulties.
    • Quote:

      "If we're his, we can already be happy. Happy in Jesus and learning sometimes through difficult experiences, as many of us will know this year, that our true happiness lies not in the things of this world, but in our fellowship with Jesus Christ."
      — Sinclair B. Ferguson (07:55)

  • Ending, Ferguson sincerely wishes his listeners a happy new year, grounded in Christ.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On God’s Desire for Our Happiness:

  "God knows better than we do how to make us truly happy." (03:53)

• On Security in Christ:

  "They are happier…but not more secure because you and I are held…in the hollow of his hand." (06:45)

• On Learning True Happiness:

  "Our true happiness lies not in the things of this world, but in our fellowship with Jesus Christ." (07:55)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:09 | New Year greeting dilemma | | 02:08 | God as Father desiring our happiness | | 03:20 | Role of the Holy Spirit in assurance | | 05:10 | Reflection on Toplady’s hymn | | 06:45 | Security of the believer | | 07:55 | True happiness found in Christ |

Tone and Style

The episode is reflective, warm, and pastoral — using personal anecdotes, gentle humor, classical hymnody, and biblical encouragement.

Summary Takeaway

Ferguson invites listeners to embrace true, Christ-centered happiness — a joy rooted in belonging to God, not in the fleeting circumstances of the New Year. Wishing his audience a “very happy new year,” he grounds this wish in the assurance and security that come from fellowship with Jesus Christ.