The vast majority of people would rather be happy than sad. To obtain happiness, many different paths are taken. Often, these paths lead to sorrow rather than happiness. This can happen when we are given false information or when we reject good counsel. Do you think that God wants His creatures to be happy? He certainly does! And in the Bible we have clear instructions about how to have a happy life. If we refuse God’s wisdom, we cannot expect to have a happy Christian life. What joy filled our hearts when we were first saved! Should not this joy continue and become greater as the years go by? Indeed it should! Even when God allows trouble to come into our lives, we can be happy (Job 5:1717Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17)). As we learn more of God’s wondrous ways, we find that “happy is the man that findeth wisdom” (Proverbs 3:1313Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)). Merely knowing what we should do will not make us happy, because the Lord Jesus said in John 13:1717If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17), “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Many things can make us joyful, content, merry or delighted, for a little while, and then quickly fade away. The Lord wants to give us what is more permanent. Psalm 144:1515Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15) says, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” And, if a person trusts in the Lord, Proverbs 16:2020He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20) says, “Happy is he.” If we follow God’s way, we will be happy rather than sad.
1. What does it say about the men who heard the wisdom of Solomon?
1 Kings 10:___
2. If we suffer for righteousness’ sake, how will we feel? 1 Peter 3:___
3. What do we read about “the man that feareth always”? Proverbs 28:___
4. Why did the apostles depart from the presence of the council rejoicing?
Acts 5:___
5. When Moses blessed Israel, what does he say made them a happy people? Deuteronomy 33:___