Happiness can be defined as good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.
Do you want to be happy? If there was a daily pill you could take that would guarantee happiness, would you take it? How important is fullness, contentment, and security to you?
Experiencing daily happiness is not only possible, it is guaranteed by doing these three things. Psalm 37 gives this prescription that is available from the Healer of all of our diseases (Psalm 103:3). It doesn’t require an insurance plan nor a pharmacist to fill. It can be taken as often as needed.
The Psalm provides the placebo – what is taken that appears to be “working” but is ineffective to treat the condition and provide lasting results. The Psalm instructs to not get bothered or annoyed because of the appearance of those who take the placebo. They may appear to have immediate gratification but their end shall be “cut off” in destruction.
David, the writer of this Psalm, encourages a good memory and doing the following three things for the lasting experience of happiness: fullness, contentment, and security.
TRUST IN THE LORD AND DO GOOD
- Set your hope on the Lord.
- Be saturated with Him.
- Take on the nature of God in your thoughts, words, and actions.
- Know God will supply all your needs according to His great value by your Savior, Christ Jesus.
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD
- Enjoy God.
- Be “soft” toward Him.
- Willingly receive Him.
- Agree with Him with great pleasure.
- Be pleased with Him.
COMMIT YOUR PATH TO THE LORD
- Obligate the way you go to be joined to Him.
- Be confident His path is best.
- Do not veer to the right or to the left.
- Connect yourself to Him and ask Him to connect Himself with you.
Knowing you will have enough, your needs will be met, and you will be secure is what happiness is all about. This is possible by doing these three things – Trusting in the Lord, Delighting in the Lord, and Committing to the Lord.
This Psalm warns to not let yourself think too much about other people nor focus on their seeming progress toward happiness. Others who have no relationship with God, dependence on Him or trust in Him are only taking the placebo. It appears to be working, but is ineffective to treat the root of their disease. When they have no dependence on God, their house is built on the sand. When the rain comes and the wind blows, their happiness will fall and great will be the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Those who belong to God in their trust, delight, and connection can be as confident as the owner of the home built on the rock. When the winds blow and rain comes, their happiness will fall not. (Matthew 7:24-27)
God knows what you have need of even before you ask. He knows you need fullness, contentment, and security. He provides all this in His one and only son. He asks you to trust Him, delight in Him, and commit your ways to Him. Staying near to the Lord will enable Him to show you the path of life and enable you to experience happiness that lasts. (Psalm 16:11)
Never regret you’ve chosen to Trust in the Lord, to Delight in the Lord, or to Commit your way to be on the same path as Him. When you see the appearance of other’s good fortune, pleasure, and joy, look at their end. As you continue to daily take the prescription for happiness given by the Great Physician, wait. Your obedience and waiting will result in happiness both now and forevermore.
Written By: Anne Gurley
