Happiness in life is a goal which many men have set and sought after. Most all of us have a desire to dwell here in relative peace, comfort, and happiness. There are claimed “sources” of this state of bliss presented to us by our worldly culture: success, fame, money, and prestige, etc. Many times, in our quest for happiness, we are tempted to give in to these empty promises, and neglect the ultimate source of all goodness and pleasure, that being God’s holy and divine Word.
Consider Psalm 1:1-3, God’s plan for happiness:
Happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm 1:1-3).
The writer has painted for us a picture of a man who knows where his happiness can be found. This man does not involve himself in the practices of the ungodly of this world. He does not seek to find his inspiration or motivation from those who are misguided and in sin. Nor does he place himself in the same position as those who scorn God in their disobedience.
In the same manner, as we neglect those unfruitful courses of supposed happiness, we add to ourselves that which should be our delight, the “law of the Lord.” This man does not casually pick up his Bible and read haphazardly when he finds time, but the Word of God is his delight. The joy experienced in his study overflows and is evident in his life. In the Word, David said “he meditates day and night.” Oh how much good could be accomplished in our lives if the Scripture were our meditation day and night! Are God’s words “sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth?” (Psalm 119:103)
If this happiness be found in His Law, David said we are like “a tree planted by rivers of water.” This tree is directly connected to its source of nourishment, just as we can connect ourselves directly to the source of happiness, being His living and powerful Word. Let us have the attitude of David as in Psalm 119:97: “Oh, how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”