HAPPINESS
Outline from Meet Yourself in the Psalms “Happiness Is” pg 43, Warren Wiersbe
Scripture: Psalm 126 1“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
I. Introduction: Defining what happiness is and what happiness is not.
A. Happiness is:
1. From Great Preachers
a. The strength and the happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which
God is going, and going in that way too. Henry Ward Beecher
b. It is not have much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
2. From a Great Statesmen
a. “Do not worry; eat three square meals a day; say your prayers; be courteous to your creditors; keep you digestion good; exercise, go slow and easy. Maybe there are other things your special case requires to make you happy, but, my friend, these I reckon will give you a good life.” Abraham Lincoln
b. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence
B. Happiness:
1. Does not consist of things, because some of the most miserable people in the world have e everything money can buy.
A London newspaper offered a prize for the best definition of money. It was awarded to a young man whose definition was, “Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.” (Illustrations of Truth, Zodhiates)
A businessman once overtook a black man trudging through the snow, humming to himself. He talked with him and found that he was very poor. Finally he asked him if he didn’t think he’d be happier if he were rich. “No, Boss, all the rich men I work for never laugh.” (Illustrations of Truth, Zodhiates)
Matthew 19:16 - The Rich Man with great possessions, but yet sorrowful.
Matt. 19:2- “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:”
“Happiness is he who has all that he desires, provided that he desire nothing amiss.” Augustine
2. Does not come from pleasures alone, because some pleasures leave people feeling far worse than before.
a. Luke 8:11 The Parable of the Sower
Luke 8:14 “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
b. Pleasure in Evil/Sin
Romans 1:32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
II Thes. 2:11-12 “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
II Timothy 3:1 - 4 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”
Hebrews 11:25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
II. HAPPINESS IS FREEDOM
A. The Jewish people in Psalms 126 were celebrating a great deliverance; “the captivity
of Zion” had ended.
1. Probably the deliverance from Sennacherib and the Assyrian army. II Kings 18 -19
a. Sudden and surprising deliverance.
Deliverance may not come when you think it should, but God is always on right on time.
If we could have listened in on the soldiers just before that night as they made their brags about how many men they would kill and how many women they would assault (rape).
Just last night we were surrounded by the Assyrian army, facing sure disaster. They intended to pillage (rape, torture, burn, etc.) the city and enslave the inhabitants. Just last night we were thirsty and hungry, facing certain dehydration and starvation. Besieged cities had their
water cut off, and they could not receive supplies beyond the city. Just last night the enemy had us surrounded, but this morning we
are free.
b. You can be free this morning. The Word of God can set you free.
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.”
He frees you from guilt and shame. He frees you from addictions. He frees you from fears and failures.
He frees you from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:6-7 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
c. Miraculous -- An angel slew 185,000 Assyrians in one night.
d. It was like a “dream”
They just couldn’t believe it. You and others won’t believe what God can do for you in a moment of time.
Just last night you were drinking, and gambling. Just last night you were swearing and cursing, using God’s name in vain. BUT, this morning, you can be free.
2. Freedom in Christ enables you to become all that God wants you to become.
True individuality is the result of surrender to Christ. Cult leaders duplicate
themselves in their naive followers, who gradually lose their freedom and
individuality. But Jesus Christ reproduces Himself in His disciples, who
enjoy freedom and individuality in the happy will of God.
B. Freedom from bondage will bring laughter and singing.
Psalms 126:2 “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. ‘
When you accept and declare your freedom from sin, you will be singing like these freed Jews.
III. HAPPINESS IS FULLNESS (of the right kind)
A. You can be full of many things
1. Filled with the wrong things
Luke 4:28 “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,”
Luke 6:11 “And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.”
2. Filled with the right things
a. Natural
Matt. 14:20 “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”
Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
b. Spiritual
Matt. 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
B. “As the streams in the south”
Psalms 126:4 “Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.”
1. The watercourse spoken of
The area spoken of was south of Israel and near the desert. During the dry season, the riverbeds would be exposed and empty; but when the rains came, the watercourses would be filled and overflowing. They needed this source of water, especially after their deliverance, they would desperately need the rain to enable crops to grow.
The fullness of the watercourses depended on the rains, while the fullness that we have in
Christ cannot change at all. Our experience of His fullness may change, but He does
not change. WWW
When natural watercourses and wells go dry, we can still draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isa 12:3 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
John 7:37-38 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
Real happiness and real joy continue when the natural streams and wells run dry.
III. HAPPINESS IS FRUITFULNESS
Psalms 126:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
A. Ingest or Invest
The Assyrian army had swept through the land, leaving destruction behind them. God had delivered His people, but what would they eat in order to stay alive? Should they turn their seed into food for today, or plant it and hope for a harvest? No wonder the sowers were weeping as they scattered the seed!
1. Sowing
a. In hope of a harvest.
I Corinth. 9:10 “Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.”
The most difficult thing for a farmer would be to sow with little or no hope of reaping a harvest. He might as well eat the seed. The same is true in the spiritual sense of a pastor, evangelist, etc. We wonder how many seasons must pass before the harvest.
b. Requires work and patience.
We cannot have a harvest if we sit and do nothing. WWW
2. Reaping
a. In proportion to sowing
II Corinth. 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
b. In due season
Galations 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’
B. Sudden and Miraculous versus Gradual and Natural
The deliverance of the city was a sudden miraculous event, but the sending of a harvest is something gradual and natural. It was God alone who delivered the city; but if there is going to be a harvest, God needs the help of man. Somebody must plow, sow, water, and reap the harvest.
CONCLUSION
If you don’t know Him, you don’t know happiness.
If you have known Him, and yet now you don’t know Him, pray like David.
Psalms 51:12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
CAMP NATHANAEL, Emmalena, KY
Dennis Cline -- Camp Director
Mr. & Mrs. Bowers
HAPPINESS IS THE LORD
Happiness is to know the Saviour, Living a life that’s in His favor, Having a change in my behavior, Happiness is the Lord!
Happiness is a new creation, Jesus and me in close relation, Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord!
Chorus:
Real joy is mine, no matter if tear drops start, I’ve found the secret, it Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven, Living a life that’s worth the living, Taking a trip that leads to heaven,
Happiness is the Lord!
Happiness is the Lord!
Happiness is the Lord!
