Happiness Is
1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the guidance of the LORD, and on his instruction they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they thrive. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1)
Generally, people want to be happy - content, steady, fulfilled. We might be tempted to read passages like the Psalm above as a recipe. But who are the wicked, the sinners, the scoffers? If we're honest, we are as likely to see ourselves in these roles as we are to delight in God's teachings to love God and neighbor. Even as we seek to meditate on this instruction by reading, questioning, discussing, and striving to live it out, sin and the
obstacles of life remain constant.
Righteousness and wickedness are bound up together in each of us. But the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus can truly pave the way of happiness. In the end, happiness is in the trying and falling on God's grace when we fail. Happiness is in accepting every moment - joyous and challenging - with the determination to cling to (and run to) the Living Water who nurtures and enables us to bear fruit at the right time.
10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:10-13)
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