It is good to have you here. I pray you will receive revelation and a new happiness in serving your Lord and Savior today. Eric

“Do you want to be happy?” I imagine, without much thought or exception, you answered, “Yes!” I have never encountered anyone who answers that question with, “No, I want to be miserable.” Happiness is a common goal and is sought after through all kinds of endeavors. Some seek happiness through material gain, although few find it there. Most studies I looked at admitted that material possessions do not make us truly happy.

As we consider what scripture reveals, we see that God created us to be social beings and to have relationship. That relationship is to be not only with others, but also with God, Himself. We see in Genesis 3 that God was accustomed to fellowshipping with Adam and Eve in the garden. In John 15:15 we read that God called us “friends”. Then, in 1 John 1:3c (ESV) John declared, “indeed our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.“ The Greek word for ‘fellowship’ is koinonia, meaning intimacy. God desires to have an intimate relationship with you and me, and when He has one, it brings Him pleasure and great delight. Psalm 149:4a, “ For the Lord takes pleasure (ratsa - delight) in His people.” Because He has made us social beings, one of the things which makes people the happiest is their relationship with other people. Jesus had it right when He told His disciples to serve one another. As we read John 13:12-17 (NKJV) we will see this truth verified, “So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 "You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 "If you know these things, blessed (happy) are you if you do them.” Then, we are instructed to serve one another through love in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” We also see that serving the poor brings happiness and a reward of being saved in a day of adversity. Psalm 41:1 and 2a, “Happy is one who is considerate of the poor; the LORD will save him in a day of adversity. 2 The LORD will keep him and preserve him..”

Close relationships with family or friends contribute greatly to our happiness. It is very special to know you are loved and have people who care about you in your life.

Having a pet can bring happiness to people. A pet’s presence can help dispel loneliness and provide companionship to those who have them.

Being able to have a job doing something you enjoy brings satisfaction and happiness, as does being healthy mentally and physically.

Being kind and helping those who have needs is also very fulfilling and gives you happiness.

According to Psychology Today, people of faith are happier than those who are not part of the faith family.

Seeing an unbeliever come to a saving knowledge of Christ brings great happiness to me. However, not only does it cause happiness for us, but all of heaven rejoices when that happens! Luke 15:7(NLT), “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!”

We are aware that there are times when circumstances do not create emotions that promote happiness, however, when we trust in the omniscience of the Lord, we need not be controlled by those emotions.

Psalm 40:4a, “How happy is anyone who has put his trust in the LORD”

Psalm 84:12a, “Happy is the person who trusts in you.”

Job 13:15a (NKJV), “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” No matter the circumstance, we can trust Him.

Happiness can even be found in correction:

Hebrews 12:5 and 6 (NKJV) reveals that the Lord loves those whom He chastens. “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

Psalm 94:12 and 13a, “LORD, how happy is anyone you discipline and teach from your law 13 to give him relief from troubled times.”

Job 5:17, “See how happy is the person whom God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

Over the years, I have counseled with many who live guilt ridden lives because they believe there is sin in their lives which cannot be forgiven. They constantly let the accuser of the brethren (satan) beat them down with his accusations. Revelation 12:10b (NLT) reveals to us, “For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth--the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” These individuals have not accepted, by faith, the truth presented in Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV), “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” You see, 1 John 1:9 (ESV) reveals, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We do not have to live under the accusations of our enemy. We can actually be happy because our sins are forgiven and forgotten. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 32:1 and 2 (NLT), “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!”

Micah 7:19b, “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Hebrews 10:17, “and I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.”

Proverbs 3:13 (NKJV), “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.” We would all love to be wise, wouldn’t we? Read this: James 1:5 (NKJV), “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Did you ever question whether God wants you to be happy? You need not have that doubt any longer. He gives us the wisdom we need, which causes us to be happy!

In Ephesians 6:5 and 6, when Paul was instructing servants to be obedient to their masters, he stated in verse 6, “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” As a servant of Christ, we are to do the will of God from the heart and when we miss the mark, we sin, which separates us in our fellowship with Him. The primary thing which makes us truly happy is doing that which is in the will of God. In John 17, Jesus prayed for all believers. In verse 21, He prayed, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they may also be one in Us.” Man was made to be one with the Godhead and we can only be happy when that relationship is maintained.

Psalm 112:1, “Hallelujah! Happy is the person who fears the LORD, taking great delight in his commands.”

Psalm 119:2, “Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart.”

Psalm 128:1, “How happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!”

James 1:12 (Amplified Bible), “Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love Him.”

Considering the times we live in, I believe that Jesus is coming back and we need to be anticipating His soon return. We are instructed to ‘watch.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (NKJV), “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Luke 12:37 and 38 (Amplified Bible), “Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those servants whom the master finds awake and watching when he arrives. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will prepare himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them. 38 Whether he comes in the second watch (before midnight) or even in the third (after midnight), and finds them so [prepared and ready] , blessed are those servants.”

For those who are faithful to watch - there will be great joy and happiness when He returns!

Psalm 144:15, “Happy are the people with such blessings. Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.”

Psalm 33:12, “Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD -- the people he has chosen to be his own possession!”

Psalm 89:15 (NLT), “Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD.”

What does it mean to be happy? The Greek word, esher means: blessed, happy. Merriman-Webster defines it as a state of well-being and contentment. Synonyms are: content, peace of mind, pleasure, delight, and blessed.

When that day comes for us, as children of God, when we receive the promised Victor’s crown, we will not only have true happiness, we will have eternal happiness! That is an amazing realization!

If you are a child of the King! You have reason to be happy!

Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are taken from the Christian Standard Bible.

ESV English Standard Version

NLT New Living Translation

NKJV New King James Version