Truly Happy People

(Leia este post em português.)

So many people want to be happy. Society will tell you a number of ways you can be truly happy, often with conflicting messages. One glaring example of this conflict is how many messages we read or hear about doing your own thing; you are the key to your own happiness; your way, right away, and other equally individualistic (selfish) messages; while at the same time we read or hear how much we need each other for things to really work. We can see the undertones of the most basic self/others axiom: “Do unto others as you would have them to do you” — the Golden Rule — and yet it has a considerably selfish twist, so it comes out sounding more like: “Do what you need to do to be happy; and oh, if you happen to be nice to someone — bonus!”

The Bible actually has quite a few straightforward formulas for happiness. In most translations they are kind of masked by the wording. The Hebrew word ‘esher and the Greek word makarios both convey the same idea: happiness. Because they are often used when speaking of happiness due to God’s favor, they are usually translated as “blessed” or “blessing.” I’m not saying this is incorrect; I’m suggesting that you read “blessed” in these contexts with an added factor — think “happiness”! Otherwise you will miss this important nuance when you read the word “blessed.” (Please note: this does not work for every instance of the word “bless” and its different forms in English, since the English term translates several words in both Hebrew and Greek. I am referring specifically to the two words above, both of which are translated bless in the examples below.)

In the examples below, the word “blessed” could be translated “Oh, the happiness of the one who…” or “How exceedingly happy is the one that…” My point here isn’t to change the words you read, but to add the implied “happiness” factor into these verses. God is saying, “Here’s what can make you truly happy people!” Consider this: God didn’t just create us, He also created our ability to experience happiness. That makes Him rather an authority on the subject, so it’s worth stopping and seeing what He says.

God says that there is happiness in store for the person:

• Who doesn’t associate or listen to ungodly people, but delights constantly in God’s Word. (Psa. 1:1-2)
• Who doesn’t hide personal sin, and experiences God’s forgiving grace. (Psa. 32:1-2)
• Who is one of God’s chosen people. (This verse is specifically about Israel, but we know that the New Testament believers also have a similar “chosen people” status; cf. 1 Pet. 2:9) (Psa. 33:12)
• Who experiences God and finds shelter in Him. (Psa. 34:8)
• Who trusts God and doesn’t look for help among the ungodly. (Psa. 40:4)
• Who cares for the needs of the poor (includes a promise of deliverance in times of trouble). (Psa. 41:1)
• Who is chosen by God, and allowed to live in His presence. (Psa. 65:4)
• Who find strength in God, and desires to be in His presence. (Psa. 84:5)
• Who trusts in God as sovereign ruler of all. (Psa. 84:12)
• Who worships God, experiencing His favor. (Psa. 89:15)
• Who is instructed by God. (Psa. 94:12)
• Who delights in obeying God (keeping His commands). (Psa. 112:1)
• Who is an obedient, loyal follower of God (keeping His commands). (Psa. 128:1)
• Who listens to wisdom continually. (Prov. 8:34)
• Whose priorities are God’s priorities: who is poor, yet godly; sorrowful, but expectant of God’s comfort; meek; hungry and thirsty for righteousness; merciful; pure in heart; a peacemaker; persecuted and falsely accused for His sake. (Matt. 5:3-11; cf. Luke 6:20-22)
• Who is not offended by Jesus Christ (contextually, accepting His claims as Messiah). (Matt. 11:6;  Luke 7:23)
• Who works diligently with or without the master’s presence (spiritual application of diligence in serving God until Christ’s return). (Matt. 24:46; Luke 12:43)
• Who places giving above receiving. (Acts 20:35)
• Whose sins are forgiven by grace through faith, not works (quotes Psa. 32:1-2). (Rom. 4:8)
• Who endures various kinds of troubles (includes promise of crown of life reward). (James 1:12)
• Who is alert and ready for the second coming of Christ. (Rev. 16:15)
• Who keeps the words prophesied in Revelation. (Rev. 22:7)

This is not an exhaustive list, but hits the majority of the references. If you analyze who God deems as happy, you will come to the conclusion that

A truly happy person
believes in God (of the Bible),
believes and loves His Word,
believes in His Son,
trusts His provision,
believes in His salvation (and forgiveness),
obeys His commands,
and follows His priorities.

As condensed as this list, it can be condensed even more. If you take a step back and understand the entirety of God’s revelation to man, it could be said that true happiness comes from understanding your place in the existence God made for His glory. That is why God could sum up all of what He has to say to man in two simple statements:

Love God
Love others

Do so, and you will truly be “blessed” — I mean, happy.