If you were to ask your family or friends this question, "What is the one thing you want most in this life?" What do you think their answer would be? What is the first answer that pops into your mind? I bet many people would answer that question like this, "I just want to be happy."
Do you believe that America is a happy nation? I read in a recent study that America was 19th of out 154 countries in the world in the happiness rankings. Indeed, living in America doesn't promise you will possess happiness, but you are free to pursue happiness.
Evidently, Finland is the world's happiest country. Finland's website says the country's happiness "has a lot to do with our daily habits: a short walk in the forest, going ice swimming or tasting something fresh from nature."
The Bible gives us the pathway to a happy life. Psalm 1 lays out a clear plan and path for happy living and consistently blessed life. This opening Psalms’ promise summarized is, “If you want to be happier, read this book. If you want to be a person who bears fruit in season, read this book.”
Happiness and blessed living come from one primary source, the Word of God. If you read it regularly, you will be like a tree beside divinely flowing streams. Perhaps a challenge is more Bible, less Netflix binge-watching. More Scripture and less screen time. Maybe some of our unhappiness as a nation and people has to do with increasing online time comparing and competing with others and ever decreasing Scripture time drawing on God's abundant resources for life.
Thankfully, God's word can speak to us right where we are and give us the wisdom we need to be blessed and happy people. Let's notice there are some things that happy people do and do not do, according to Psalm 1.
I. Happy people avoid some people.
Wait, aren't we supposed to love everyone as Christians? Yes. However, the Bible also warns us to watch our associations. For example, the Psalmist gives us three kinds of people to avoid.
A. Avoid walking in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1a)
The counsel of the ungodly refers to advice that encourages people to live sinful lives without concern for righteous living and obedience to God. Interestingly, happy people are not people who say "yes," to everything. They have also learned to say "no," to some things.
Happy people are not going to listen to everyone. For example, McDonald's does a great job of making us think if we eat their Happy Meals, we will be happy people. Now, I like McDonald's from time to time. However, if my diet consists only of Happy Meals, I will be neither healthy nor happy!
Many people are in the habit of listening to an ungodly culture for advice on marriage, money, or relationships. The key is, who are you listening to? Are the people you associate with telling you their opinions or experiences alone, or are they telling you what the Word of God says? Everyone has an opinion, but happy people routinely listen first to what God says in His Word.
B. Avoid standing in the path of sinners (Psalm 1:1b)
To stand in the path of sinners means you remain or linger in the presence of people with an evil character. A healthy habit is to take inventory of the people around you. Many people spend hours a day online. Are people online drawing you closer to the Lord? Are they encouraging you to follow God in obedience? Or do they fill your life with drama, discord, and discouragement?
Does this mean I can only hang around Christian people or go to church day in and day out? Of course not. Jesus said we are to be in this world but not of this world. From time to time, Jesus associated with sinners, castaways, and money-hungry people. However, Jesus did not do that to become like them. Instead, He was the friend of sinners because he compassionately loved them and came to seek and save that which was lost.
C. Avoid sitting in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1c)
Note the direction the Psalmist is taking us here. He's not moving us upward but downward. He is taking us from walking to standing, and now we are sitting. He shows us that sinful living is like a slippery slope. Some believers may be tempted to associate with people with great outward success because knowing "high rollers" might make them feel as if they have arrived, too. Be careful, or the people surrounding you will be those who mock God and scoff at God.
Do we see this going on in our nation today? Psalm 33:12, Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” I remember growing up in a time where our public school where our teacher began class daily with a reading from God's Word. We had the ten commandments hanging on every classroom wall. Of course, we were not a perfect nation or people then or now. However, we are blessed anytime we learn more about the Lord.
Many times, Christians are scorned by the world because they believe what the Scriptures teach about marriage or the sanctity of human life. We believe what we do in this life matters now eternally. We believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the Life. These are fundamental Scriptural truths, and increasingly, standing on the truth of God's Word means social ridicule.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." We also read in 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits."
Happy people pay attention to who they listen to and stay associated with. Now, you may be surprised at what happy people do not do. However, this is not a negative thing or an endless list of "thou shalt nots." Now, let's find out what happy people do.
II. Happy people think the right thoughts (Psalm 1:2)
Happy people think differently than unhappy people do. This may sound so simple, yet there is no option number two or middle ground here. Happy people have their mindset on the right channel, a choice we can all make. The Psalmist gives us one thing to think about and one practice to adopt to focus our thought life.
A. One thing to think about: We delight in the law of the Lord.
In contrast to the ungodly, sinners, and scornful, happy people delight in the law of the Lord. What does the word delight mean? Delight means having a sense of deep pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. Understand that this happiness that the Bible talks about here is not due to what is happening around us. We are not happy primarily because our kids are acting right, our bills are paid, and our gas tanks are full. Although those would all be great blessings, we are not happy primarily because of what is happening circumstantially at the moment — our happiness goes deeper than that. Our happiness is anchored in our close walk with the Lord in His Word.
The Psalmist said his delight was in the "law of the Lord." The law of the Lord was the first five Bible books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. As incredible as those first five books in the Bible are, can you imagine how delighted he would be to have an entire Bible? As in the 66 books of the Bible that we have almost unlimited access to every day?
Question: What do you take delight in? If people are around you any amount of time, what will they know is most important to you? I once knew a man with loads of money, a family, a gorgeous home, and a slick car. However, he was rarely happy in life. I rarely heard him laugh or saw him smile. He would first say when he saw me, "David, let me tell you, I have this much in my bank account. Did I tell you we are adding another 1,000 square feet to our home? I recently bought some more land out in the country, and it's super nice." However, nothing he said impressed me much, no matter how impressive his stuff or speech. Why? His family was falling apart, he was full of himself, and no one enjoyed being around him because his possessions mattered more to him than people.
Here is where delighting in God's Word comes into action. What did Jesus say about stuff and priorities? He said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses"(Luke 12:15). Many people think that life consists of having stuff and more stuff, which is not true, according to Jesus.
As Christians, we are not defined by our stuff but by the Savior who loved us and gave His life for us (Galatians 2:20). We are God's dearly loved children. Our greatest treasures are not here on this earth where moth destroys, and thieves break in and steal. Our identity is in Christ, not out in our cash, cars, and clothes. How do we know that? God's Word tells us whose we are and who we are in Christ. As our relationship with God grows, we draw our significance and strength from the Scriptures.
B. One practice to adopt: We meditate on the law of the Lord day and night.
He craves God's word so much that he "meditates on it day and night." What does the word "meditate" mean here? Meditating on the word means you are reacting and relating to the Word of God. For instance, when you have a wonderful meal before you, it's natural to take a bite, stop, and say in a low voice, "MMMMMM, this is soooooo good..." You may even say, "I'm going to take my time and enjoy every bite of this meal. This is a meal I will not forget!" Meditating on the Word means processing it internally and pondering it continually.
When was the Psalmist meditating on the Word? Just when he felt like it? When he was in a good mood? When everyone in the office is treating him right? Notice that he says he will meditate on the word "day and night." He chooses to turn his heart and mind to the word of God.
Why do we sometimes not consistently delight in and meditate on the Word? The reasons and excuses are likely numerous. Occasionally, we let ourselves get too caught up in other daily things and neglect the word. Other times, we feel our motivation for the Word of God is lacking. However, how motivated would I suddenly be if Bill Gates said, "David, for every verse you memorize and meditate on, I will give you $10,000." My spiritual appetite might find a way to change rather quickly. I know that is a silly illustration and will not happen. However, isn't knowing God and His word worth more to us than gold and silver? If we truly delight in the law of the Lord, we will find the time to meditate on it day and night.
If meditating or thinking deeply on the Word of God seems like a daunting task, that is understandable. Think about it this way; if you can worry, you can meditate. Worry causes you to stress out and focus on all that is wrong or out of control. Meditating means you will focus most on God, what He says, and how He can speak to you no matter what you are facing.
A great verse to practice meditating on would be a verse like Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Filter your thoughts through these stations. Try it on your ride home. Listen to the Bible and praise and worship music. These days, it is easy to only focus on what is wrong with people. How about learning to think about what is good in them? Catch yourself and see if you are dwelling on the opposite of the Philippians 4:8 stations. For example, am I thinking about what is true or false? Am I thinking about what is pure our putrid? Am I thinking of a good report or a negative report?
III. God Nourishes Happy People (Psalm 1:3)
The happiest people I know now or have known in the past have God at the center of their lives. That does not mean they don't face tough seasons or challenges. Does this mean God's people will always "feel" happy? No. However, it does mean we know we are not alone, and we find our strength in the One who supplies our every need (not our every greed).
The Psalmist depicts them like a tree planted by streams of water, drawing its life-sustaining nourishment from a stream flowing through its roots. The Psalmist describes the happy person in three ways:
A. Planted with God (1:3a)
A planted person does not sway or move by the seasons or surroundings of life. Dr. Charles Swindoll reminds us that what makes a tree strong is not the bark, branches, leaves, or fruit. It's the roots. Godly people are like trees with strong roots. Instead of going down to the water, these people's roots dig deep into God's Word and follow His commands. They invest in what is timeless and eternal. That is truly flourishing.
In stark contrast to the well-nourished believer, the Psalmist reminds us that those without the Lord are like "worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly" (Psalm 1:4-5). No matter how well people do on the outside, without the Lord, life is meaningless. There is no middle ground here in this Psalm. Living life connected to God and His word leads to great reward now and eternally. Living life as a wicked sinner, scorner, and mocker of God means you will reap eternal ruin under the judgment of God.
Colossians 2:7, "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
B. Productive through God (1:3b)
This happy person is progressing in God's plan and purposes for their lives. Their lives are fruitful and have meaning whether they are youthful, adults, or seniors. This Psalm makes me think of an elderly lady in age, but not in her lifestyle. She has served the Lord in one place for seventy-three years, but her impact on God's kingdom is possibly more significant than any person I have ever met. I asked her what her secret was to such a life. She said, "David, it is the Scriptures, and knowing God answers prayer." Isn't that connected exactly to what Jesus spoke to His disciples, saying, "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father" (John 15:7-8).
C. Prospering in God (1:3c)
Prospering in the Lord comes from delighting in and meditating on the Word of God. In America, we hear TV preachers on the radio internet telling us that God's only plan for our life is for our "wealth and health." Yet, we know from Scripture that this is a false gospel and not the true gospel. Jesus did not die for our bank account. He died on the cross and shed His precious blood for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3-4). The Apostle Paul reminded Christians, "you have been given not only the privilege of trusting Christ, but also the privilege of suffering for Him" (Philippians 1:29). Prospering in the Lord means continual fruitfulness and every season of life, being a blessing to others, and a spiritually enriched life in Christ. (John 10:10).
Prospering in God means our lives are bent on seeking God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). "You may have a self-curated image of success but be mastered by unhealthy emotions, i.e., shame, guilt, resentment. You may gain the whole world but lose your soul in the process. A prosperous man of God seeks success in being a student of the Word, a faithful steward, an obedient beloved son, and a lover of the Lord and people. Joy and truth are fruits of prosperity" (Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters).
Conclusion
When I read Psalm 1, I think of a man I was fortunate to know. He is with the Lord now but is still greatly loved and missed. In his early years of life and into his married years, he lived as the Psalm 1:4-6 man. Although he had an excellent job and career and was starting a family, He did not have a vital connection with the Lord and was not a believer in Christ.
Things in his life started to change when his wife decided that she was going to give the church a try. Not long after, his wife heard the good news of Jesus Christ, trusted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and became a changed person on the inside. While glad for his wife, he wanted nothing to do with God, church, or faith.
Over time, as his wife grew in the Lord as a disciple, she obediently began to tithe their first 10% of income to God. Her husband did not like this and angrily said, "You must stop giving to the church. I knew they didn't care about you, and all they are after is my money." However, his wife, like that tree planted by streams of water, stood firm in her commitment to the Lord and tithing. Over a short period, her husband began to see even with the first 10% being given to the Lord, in no area were they falling short in income or their family. This reality, along with his wife's new Christ-like lifestyle, made him curious to hear the preaching in that church. To her surprise, he attended church one Sunday to "check things out." What he saw in that church were people filled with God's love and Spirit, people who loved and welcomed him, and most importantly, he heard the truth of God's Word and yielded his life to the Savior.
By God's grace and with time, he went from being a Psalm 1:4-6 man to a Psalm 1:1-3 man. I am sure if he could speak today, he would share what the Psalmist just said. If you want to be holy and happy in life and eternity, delight in the Bible, read it, meditate on it continually, and let it lead you to the Source from whom all blessings flow.
From the day he met Jesus until his dying breath, his life was a living testimony to the power of God's Word to bring someone from sin's grip to salvation, a greedy man to a grace-filled man, and a self-serving and self-centered man to a Savior-centered and Scripture-centered man. The same God that changed his life is able and available to transform your life today, too. Amen.
