Readings for today: Psalms 1-2, Psalms 147
Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live a life full of joy. Everyone spends a lot of time and energy and resources chasing what we think will make us happy. It could be relationships. It could be success. It could be wealth. It could be health. It could be any number of hobbies and activities. Sadly, happiness seems to be in short supply these days. General happiness in the United States has been in decline since the early 2000’s across different age groups. In addition, numerous indicators of poor psychological health such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm have been on the rise. It seems strange when one considers all the built-in advantages in our society like the relatively high standard of living, social safety nets, low rates of violent crime, low rates of unemployment, etc. However, declines in social support and social capital, loneliness, isolation, obesity, substance abuse, social media, etc. all contribute to the general feelings of unhappiness that pervade society. So what’s to be done? Where can we go for help?
Thankfully, God’s Word provides an answer. It is clear. It is unambiguous. It is simple and straightforward. “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3 CSB) So much of our problem comes from the company we keep. We have a tendency to listen to the advice of the wicked and walk in the path of the sinners and sit in the company of the mockers. If we’re honest, these monikers describe us as well! We think we can have it both ways. We can stand with a foot in this world and a foot in the world to come. We can chase all the things the world values - money, sex, and power - and still follow Christ. But God makes it clear that the only way to find true happiness is to reject the ways of this world, reject the ways of death, reject the ways of sin and evil and embrace the way of Jesus. God makes it clear that our delight must be in Him alone. He alone is worthy of our love and devotion. As we meditate on His Word day and night, the Spirit of God begins to bear supernatural fruit in our lives. Fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control. As we bear this fruit in its season, our happiness does not wither and we become a blessing to those around us which leads to prosperity. Prosperity not just in wealth but in relationships. The very thing all social scientists identify as the key to human happiness!
So here’s the bottom line…does this Psalm describe you? When you step back and honestly evaluate your life, where do you find yourself? Are you walking in the advice of the wicked? Are you standing in the path of the sinner? Are you sitting in the company of mockers? Or are you delighting yourself in the Lord? Do you spend time with Him every day? Do you gather with His people for worship every week? Do you have deep, spiritual friendships with those who encourage you to follow Christ? Is your life fruitful and prosperous?
Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 1-3, Psalms 148