HAPPINESS—ACCORDING TO GOD
by Bryan Gibson
Our ideas of happiness don’t always agree with God’s. Let’s look at who should be the happiest people in the world, according to God.
“Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Psalms 144:15). Those who worship and serve the one true God should be the happiest people in the world. We serve a God described as our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Shield, our Creator, our Judge, our King, our Savior, etc. We sometimes sing, “He is my everything; He is my all.” That is by no means an exaggeration.
J One who is reverent J
“Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity” (Prov. 28:14). The truly happy are those who maintain a reverent attitude toward the one true God.
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding…She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her” (Prov. 3:13, 18). This is not always true with those who gain wisdom and understanding in other areas. They may become “experts” in their chosen field, but their lives may be as miserable as ever. Spiritual wisdom and understanding is what brings lasting happiness.
J One who keeps God’s law J
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law” (Prov. 29:18). “But He said, ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” (Luke 11:28). It’s not enough to simply learn the word of God; we must obey what we learn.
J One who shows mercy J
“He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Prov. 14:21). True happiness does not come from looking out “for #1”; it comes from looking out for others (see also Philippians 2:3-4).
J One who can look to God for help J
“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help…” (Psa. 146:5). What a blessing it is to be able to obtain help from the Almighty God at any time. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
J One who has hope in God J
“Happy is he…whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Psa. 146:5). “The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish (Prov 10:28).