Introduction

The Pursuit of Happiness: Insights from Psalm 37

The pursuit of happiness is a universal goal for all human beings. The Declaration of Independence of the United States recognizes this in its famous phrase: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." But how can we seek and attain true happiness? Many people fail in their pursuit because they lack guidance. The Word of God should be our compass in obtaining happiness, and Psalm 37, written by King David, provides wise counsel on how to not only seek but also obtain true happiness. This psalm is an acrostic, with each stanza beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, making it a gem of biblical wisdom and universal literature.

Psalm 37:1-5 (NIV)

"Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this."

What advice does David give us for a blessed and fulfilling life? Let's explore these insights:

1. Do not imitate evildoers (verses 1-2):

Many people achieve success by following the ways of the sinful world, engaging in deceitful practices to deceive others and cause harm. It is tempting to compare ourselves to them and envy their material possessions. However, if we trust in the Lord, we should act with integrity and righteousness, knowing that their prosperity is temporary. All worldly success is fragile and ultimately rests in the hands of God. Jesus himself asked, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Let us avoid imitating the wicked and instead focus on our own personal growth.

2. "Trust in the Lord" (verse 3):

The foundation of our pursuit of happiness is placing our faith, no matter how small, in a mighty God. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." God desires us to learn to trust and depend on Him completely. He is a faithful God, and all His promises are true. The Bible tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). We should have no doubt in our minds that with God by our side, we will not be ashamed or destroyed.

3. Do good (verse 3):

We may be tempted to imitate evildoers, thinking that their actions are the only path to happiness, especially when we see them accumulating wealth and boasting about it. However, if we trust in the Lord, we will act with truthfulness and righteousness because He is on our side. 3 John 1:11 says, "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." The result of doing good is receiving God's blessings and enjoying security, protection, and guidance through His truth. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). Let our actions align with God's law and the laws of society, so we can rest peacefully each night.

4. Delight in the Lord (verse 4):

To delight in the Lord means to allow ourselves to be molded by Him. Jeremiah 18:6 says, "He said, 'Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.'" We cannot truly delight in God if we approach Him with a rigid heart, saying, "God, do what I say, but I am not willing to do what You say for my life." Our relationship and dependence on God should not only be based on receiving blessings but also on finding joy, delight, and a desire to be with Him, serve Him, and please Him. He is the ultimate source of joy, and we should not rest our happiness solely on the temporary material possessions that the wicked accumulate and boast about. As Psalm 73:25 says, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you."

5. Commit your way to the Lord (verse 5):

To commit ourselves to the Lord means to entrust ourselves and our paths to His care and protection. It also means to ask Him to accomplish what we desire in our hearts. We can confidently present our requests before Him, knowing that He always desires the best for His children. These requests should align with His will and seek to please Him. When we commit ourselves to Him, He will act on our behalf. We may find ourselves in situations where we see no way out or lack the resources to solve problems, but God wants us to present all these things to Him with unwavering faith and patience. Are you facing a situation where you see no way out? Entrust yourself to the Lord (1 Peter 5:7).

6. Wait for the Lord (verse 5, "trust in Him and He will act"):

We begin with trust, and we end with trust, waiting for Him to act. What a tremendous promise! We don't need to worry, lose sleep, or be saddened because there is a promise, and He is faithful to His Word. If we entrust our ways to Him and truly believe that He is capable of resolving or accomplishing what we ask, He cannot fail to fulfill His promises because He cannot contradict His Word. Therefore, we can have security in knowing that He will act. He will not leave us abandoned or begging for bread. Psalm 37:25 assures us, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Those who delight in God will witness the fulfillment of these promises. Fame and fortune are not guaranteed, but the deepest desires of our hearts will find their fulfillment. The more we trust and delight in God, the more we will see Him bring these promises to fruition. Let us not be anxious but instead place our complete faith and dependence on the Lord each day of our lives. Never forget that He will act; our best days are yet to come! Amen. (10/25/2020).

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