Godly Happiness is Found in Obedience
Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in His commandments. Psalm 112: 1
The world is filled with a strange kind of happiness. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that can make you weep endlessly even when there are things to smile about. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that has persons smiling from the lips while the hearts remain cold and bitter. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that has created a society that grows more serious and bitter day by day. We search for the things to be happy about but find that there is little or no lasting happiness in the world. Listen to the Psalmist though as he gives us the secret to true happiness.
The world is filled with a strange kind of happiness. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that can make you weep endlessly even when there are things to smile about. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that has persons smiling from the lips while the hearts remain cold and bitter. ItÂ’s the kind of happiness that has created a society that grows more serious and bitter day by day. We search for the things to be happy about but find that there is little or no lasting happiness in the world. Listen to the Psalmist though as he gives us the secret to true happiness.
Let me invite you to read the entire Psalm today and see it in a new light. True happiness is found when one reverences and submits to the Lord. This reverence and submission is proven through a love for, and obedience to, His commands. By so doing we are actually doing all that God requires of us and are guaranteed immense blessings in our lives. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is manÂ’s all. Ecc 12: 13. This is the answer for those who lack direction and purpose in their lives. It is the beginning of happiness for any individual.
When we fear God and are obedient to His commands, we are promised blessings in our lives. James 1: 25 tells us that if we are obedient to GodÂ’s law we will be blessed. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. The Psalm promises that the person who is happy in the Lord will be blessed with posterity, prosperity, illumination [walking in the light of the Lord], generosity, freedom from fear, confidence under attack, lasting faithfulness and honor, and such a person will become the envy of the wicked.
Do you remember this song:
Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation, Jesus and me in close relation, Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I've found the secret, it's Jesus in my heart!
As we approach the Advent season, I would invite you to search your hearts for the happiness that is needed there. It comes only from total obedience to GodÂ’s commands. How is it actualized? How can you know if you have truly found this everlasting kind of happiness? Listen to Jesus in John 15: 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Let me ask you, what type of love do you practice? Jesus gave sacrificial love and nothing less will be sufficient. We give sacrificial love through helping, caring, listening, encouraging, and giving. Love until it hurts, and then love some more. If loving cost you nothing, it will benefit you nothing. True happiness is discovered by us as we bring happiness to others. May you find true happiness and the peace it brings as you discover joy in obedience to GodÂ’s commands.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed!
When we fear God and are obedient to His commands, we are promised blessings in our lives. James 1: 25 tells us that if we are obedient to GodÂ’s law we will be blessed. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. The Psalm promises that the person who is happy in the Lord will be blessed with posterity, prosperity, illumination [walking in the light of the Lord], generosity, freedom from fear, confidence under attack, lasting faithfulness and honor, and such a person will become the envy of the wicked.
Do you remember this song:
Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation, Jesus and me in close relation, Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I've found the secret, it's Jesus in my heart!
As we approach the Advent season, I would invite you to search your hearts for the happiness that is needed there. It comes only from total obedience to GodÂ’s commands. How is it actualized? How can you know if you have truly found this everlasting kind of happiness? Listen to Jesus in John 15: 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Let me ask you, what type of love do you practice? Jesus gave sacrificial love and nothing less will be sufficient. We give sacrificial love through helping, caring, listening, encouraging, and giving. Love until it hurts, and then love some more. If loving cost you nothing, it will benefit you nothing. True happiness is discovered by us as we bring happiness to others. May you find true happiness and the peace it brings as you discover joy in obedience to GodÂ’s commands.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed!
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