October 27Pm.    Happiness is…   Psalm 1

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

Fewer than 10 percent of Americans are deeply committed Christians, says pollster George Gallup, who adds that these people "are far, far happier than the rest of the population." Committed Christians, Gallup found, are more tolerant than the average American, more involved in charitable activities, and are "absolutely committed to prayer." While many more Americans than this 10 percent profess to be Christians, adds Gallup, most actually know little or nothing of Christian beliefs, and act no differently than non-Christians. "Overall," says Gallup, "The Sunday School and religious education system in this country is not working." Signs of the Times, November 1991, p. 6

 

   Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get. – Anonymous

 

The secret to happy living is not to do what you like but to like what you do. From Bible Illustrator.

 

Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in my life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.  Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.  On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school.  Jamie  rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.  "Guess what Mum," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me: "I've been chosen to clap and cheer!"

-- unknown from Bible Illustrator. 

 

Psalm 1:1 (KJS) Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {ungodly: or, wicked} 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 Psalm 1:1 (NLT) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.2 But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail.  Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.  4 But this is not true of the wicked.  They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.  5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.  Sinners will have no place among the godly.  6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

  

Do’s and Don’ts of Happiness.  Can you see the difference? 

 

The Happy ones are:

 

I.  Who are the blessed ones?  They listen to the right people.  They spend time with the right ones.  They don’t follow the scornful or ungodly.  Be careful of the company you keep, because they will have an effect on your life.  They delight in doing everything God wants.  Their delight is in knowing and serving the Lord. 

 

II. What are they like?   They delight in the law of the Lord and they meditate about it day and night.  Happiness is not the goal.  It is a by-product of enjoying a relationship with the Lord. 

 The life of the blessed ones or happy ones is like a tree planted by the waters. 

(Bearing fruit each season without fail.  Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.) They will weather the storms.  They aren’t promised immunity from the problems of life, but in the end the great tree continues to stand and produce fruit for all generations. 

 

III.  What is their end?   6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly

 

The Unhappy ones are: 

 

1.  Who are they?  They are the wicked, sinners, and scoffers.  They want their way and they will get it.  They have given up their freedom to serve God to serve themselves.  These people could even be in church.  Just because they go to church, doesn’t mean that they could not be sinners and scoffers.  The fact is that aren’t going with the Lord.  Their life and their way shows which way they are going. 

 

2.  What are they like?  They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.  When compared to the blessed the sinners are like the chaff.  They are scattered by the wind and soon forgotten.  Their life is short and wasted.  They do what they want and say what they want regardless of God’s desires for their lives. 

 

3.  What is their end?  5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.  Sinners will have no place among the godly.  6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

 

What is the conclusion of the matter?  We all want to be happy, so the question is how can I find it?  The answer is contained in this chapter.  The way to true happiness is to decide to go with the Lord in your life.  Avoid those in this world who would tend to pull you away from the Lord.  We must stay in contact with the lost of the world, but to make them your friends is to open the door to let them take you away from the Lord.  We must stay in constant touch with the Lord through prayer and his word.