Where is happiness? And better yet, what is happiness? There is no better
answer to these soul-searching questions than what is found in God’s Word.
Proverbs 3:13 & 14:
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
True happiness is found in wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is knowledge
applied. As we search out the great truths within God’s Word we increase in
knowledge. It is in the application of that knowledge that we really begin to
grow, to learn, to understand and to become wise.
As we step out in the pursuit of happiness, God gives us sign posts in His
Word--practical keys, so we don’t stumble along the way. Most occurrences of
“blessed” in the Bible mean “happy.” The first step we take in getting
blessed in our pursuit of happiness is to simply receive God’s Word and hold
it in our minds.
Proverbs 2:1-6:
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid
treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of
God.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding.
Place yourself in a position to SEEK God’s Word, then HIDE
it in your mind and start applying it.
An underlying key in our pursuit is realizing what is our attitude of
heart. Are we always looking to Him?
Psalm 1:1-2:
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.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
Here it is! Happy, blessed, is the man whose focus is not on the ungodly,
but his delight is God’s Word in which he mediates how often? Day and night.
When the problems come he still stays put and is blessed.
In Jeremiah we see how the proper attitude of seeking God’s Word produces
joy.
Jeremiah 15:16:
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy
and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of
hosts.
Psalm 119:14:
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in
all riches.
How much time, effort and energy do we put into making physical riches?
Compare that to how much we put in searching the Word of God.
There is a unique perspective found in the familiar Psalm 23. Verse 6 says:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
Really, instead of us running after God’s goodness and mercy, it is
following us! God has done so much for us, we need to slow down and let it
catch up with us!
We have so much in the relationship that we have with God through the
finished work of Jesus Christ. We need to simply, by our free will, implement
into our everyday life God’s goodness and mercy. We can be assured that our
Heavenly Father is going to take care of us all the days of our lives. We can
be confident in that.
Our pursuit of happiness will be rewarded in the wisdom we gain by seeking
and hiding the treasures of God’s Word in our hearts.
- Barney Barnhart
