Intro: Every normal person wants to be happy. We may not always be happy, but given the choice, don’t we want to be happier more often? There is a false and true happiness. To be honest, we are living in an imperfect world where there is more sadness, sorrow and pain than happiness. Look around and see the many businesses that cater to people’s need for temporary relief from boredom and loneliness. And then there are the thousands of hospitals, drugstores and funeral homes which testify to the frailty of a man’s health and life.
Today not a few people are sick and tired of life. However, they search for means to be happy in the wrong places and in the wrong ways! The Bible says there are certain circumstances that are key to a happy and blessed life. True happiness is blessedness in the Lord. Today we look at conditions that lead to happiness and blessedness! The Bible tells us about 7 characteristics of happy people:
1) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHOSE SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
Rom. 4:7 – Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Job 5:17 – Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Prov. 28:14 – Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
2) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO DELIGHTS MORE IN THE WORD THAN IN THE WORLD.
Psa. 119:16 – I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Prov. 3:13 – Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Psa. 1:1-2 – 1 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. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO KEEPS GOD’S COMMANDMENTS.
I John 3:22 – And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Prov. 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
John 13:17 – If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
4) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD.
Psa. 144:15 – Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
Psa. 146:5 – Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
5) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO WAITS ON THE LORD.
Isa. 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
6) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS THE LORD.
Psa. 84:12 – O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Jer. 17:7 – Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
7) HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO ENDURES.
Jas. 5:11 – Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Jas. 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Conclusion: Are you really a happy person? If not, you can be TODAY! It all begins with a deeper personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. Wherever you are, you can come to Him by faith right now, believing that He died for your sins!
