How to Find Happiness

O. T. #1421  "How to Find Happiness"
April 11, 2019
Summary of Psalms

LET IT GLOW

My conclusion in today's society is that people are searching for joy and happiness in this life, don't you think? Oh, we can experience pleasure for a short time whenever we obtain material things or get our dream job, but that pleasure is only temporary, fleeting in time. We need something that is always there providing joy when we awaken in the morning and peace when we lay down our head at night. Am I on the right track here?
Friends, I have found some answers to that longing in our soul. Jump over to Psalm 84 and read with me three ways, the sons of Korah or David, wrote to obtain happiness or to be blessed. They were the descendants of Levi through Kohath and were gatekeepers and musicians in the temple of Jerusalem.

Blessed in the Hebrew language means happiness; how happy!

1. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee. (verse 4) Those men lodged around the house of God, according to 1 Chronicles 9:27. Folks, it is a busy world out there, so we should set aside time to go to God's house of worship of our choosing. There we step aside the mainstream of life so we can quietly meditate, pray, and focus on our God and Savior Jesus Christ. We find joy and strength not in the building, but in the prayers, music, fellowship, sermons, and Word of God, along with His Spirit. (Although, we can worship Him anywhere, God tells us to not forsake the assembly of ourselves.) Are we always singing His praises?
2. Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. (verse 5) The Israelites set their minds on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where they worshiped in the Temple and made sacrifices for their sins. They would travel many miles in order to fulfill this command, at least twice a year and perhaps three other times. does our strength come from the Lord? Is He our joy? Is our mind set upon Him throughout our days?
3. O LORD of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee. (verse 12) Trust refers to hope, security, put confidence in.

There we have it dear ones. How to be happy by worshiping God in His house, praising Him, finding our strength in Him, keeping our heart on His ways, and trusting in God.
Are we happy when we go to the house of God? What is our attitude inside?
Are our sins washed in the blood of Jesus? That should give us something to sing about and be happy. We don't have to pay the price for our sins-Jesus has already done it for us, in our place. Now that is worth shouting!
There ain't nothin' goin' steal my joy. I like that song.

LET IT GROW

For the LORD God is a sun, and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.  (verse 11)

Are we following in the lighted path on which God has directed us to walk?
Are we walking, living uprightly?

To walk uprightly is to have integrity; truth; be undefiled; without spot or blemish.

There is our challenge for today.

LET IT GO

Thank You for grace and mercy today my God and Savior!
Help me to life uprightly before you and others.
In Thee do I put my trust all the day long.
Please bless my friends here today.