How are you feeling today? -- Are you a happy person?
Everyone -- I believe -- wants to be happy!
We all wish for happiness; -- but few there are that find it.
So many people fail in their quest to find that elusive prize of happiness -- because they are looking in all the wrong places.
A man once shouted to someone on the mountain: -- "What is the secret to happiness?"
The answer came back: "Celibacy -- Self-denial -- Fasting -- Poverty."
The man didn't like that answer -- so he shouted: -- "Is there anyone else up there I can talk to?"
The Bible says a lot to us about how to live in true happiness!
I have come to the firm conviction in my heart -- that the true foundation for real happiness -- is a proper relationship with the Lord God Almighty -- through His Son, Jesus Christ!
The wise Proverb writer tells us: -- "Whoever trusts in the Lord -- happy is he” (16:20).
I was reading
There is a real gem in this psalm -- which helps us to understand the real true Source of happiness.
The man who
wrote Psalm
Most reliable commentators believe that this psalmist had gone through a shattering disappointment -- before he wrote this poem (song).
But then he turned to God -- & he was helped!
And as a result -- he said he would devote himself to praising God for as long as he lived!
Let's look at this Song of Praise -- for it tells us How to Be Happy!
The psalmist is able to "Sing!" -- Because he had come to experience for himself the true meaning of happiness!
(Read Psalm 146:1-6). -- Notice vr. 5 -- “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Notice the three words beginning with the letter "h"; -- the 3-fold 'h' in verse 5 -- happy, help, & hope.
The Source for genuine happiness is clearly found in these 3 words!
Psalm
Have you ever paid much attention to those charts on the side of cereal boxes? -- That lists the minimum daily requirement for hearth?
You know what I'm talking about -- those Nutrition Facts!
Aren't they just so exciting? -- % Daily Value; -- the amount of Total Fats -- Cholesterol -- Sodium, -- etc.
Vitamin A -- 15%; -- Vitamin C -- 25%; -- Calcium 0%; -- Iron -- 45%.
Well here -- in
Psalm
1. First, -- let's look at the word "Help"!
"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help ..."
No matter how capable -- how efficient you & I may be -- there come times when we need help!
Now I have no mechanical ability -- so I have to depend on the help of a mechanic whenever my car needs servicing.
I try to take care of my health -- but there are times when the expert help of the physician -- or surgeon -- has been needed.
You & I depend on the help of others all day long -- like the people who manage the telephone circuits; -- the workers who keep the roads maintained; -- the people who print the newspaper.
But my friends -- there is One whose help is far above all -- & that One is the God of Jacob! -- God can do for us what nobody else can do!
Psalm 121:2 declares: -- "My help comes from the Lord."
Oh that we all could declare the same!
Here in Psalm
In other words
-- "don't put your confidence in powerful people; -- there is no help
there. -- When their breathing stops -- they return to the earth -- & in a
moment all their plans come to an end” (
You & I have all at one time or another trusted someone; -- people who have failed us! -- And sometimes we have failed others!
But when we put our trust in the Lord -- He is ever so faithful to give us the kind of help that never fails!
It is interesting indeed that God is here called -- "the God of Jacob."
Why -- why the "God of Jacob" -- & not someone else?
Why not the God of Abraham? -- Or even the God of Israel?
It seems rather strange that the psalmist -- should speak of the Lord as the "God of Jacob."
It may be because Jacob always needed help! -- And lots of it!
Jacob is not a life to be described by a single word as -- for example -- the faith of Abraham; -- or the purity of Joseph.
Jacob seemed to have a many-sided life.
He was a man of guile -- & yet a man of prayer.
Originally Jacob was crafty -- unscrupulous -- but in the end, God fashioned him into a spiritual conqueror!
Some people have feet of clay more so than others -- & Jacob was certainly a man with feet of clay!
You will remember -- Jacob was the twin brother of Esau -- but he is also an excellent example of the conflict of a duel nature.
Jacob was sort of a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
His character was both good & bad; -- he rises & he falls; -- we see his weakness & strength; -- inconsistencies are everywhere.
He was selfish; -- naturally crafty & deceitful; -- & yet became a chosen instrument of God.
He cheated his twin brother; -- he lied to his father; -- but in spite of all that -- Jacob experienced a life changing encounter with God at both Bethel & Peniel -- that literally changed his ways -- as well his name -- from Jacob to Israel.
When Jacob tricked his brother & his father -- & had to leave home -- he was all alone in an unfriendly world.
But God protected him -- & directed him -- & met his every need.
When other men tried to hurt Jacob -- God stepped in to shelter him.
God fulfilled
His purposes for Jacob & made him the father of the tribes of
Jacob was sometimes a disobedient man -- but God still helped him -- & God saw him through.
So here is a word of encouragement for us today!
If God could choose & bless & perfect Jacob -- then there is no limit to His redeeming grace for you -- & for me! -- The God of Jacob is our help!
How about you? -- do you need help today? -- do you need help often?
Jacob did! -- If there is help for Jacob -- there is help for me!!
If there was help for Jacob -- there is help for anybody!
The Bible says: -- "The Lord is my helper -- & I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6).
My friends -- cast your burden on the Lord -- & by faith -- receive the help that He alone can give you!
"God is our refuge & strength -- a very present help in time of trouble."
What do you need help with today? -- The God Who helped Jacob -- stands ready & available to help you today -- whatever your need!
2. Secondly, -- let's look at the word "Hope"!
We've looked at the help that God gives us; -- now let's think about hope! -- People everywhere need hope!
But sad to say -- there are multitudes of people who have no hope!
They have nothing to live for; -- nothing to look forward to.
To them life becomes unbearable; -- they would rather die than live; --they have no hope.
But my friends -- when you know Jesus -- you always have hope!
The Lord Jesus Christ is our hope! -- In this life & in the life to come!
To the Christian -- hope is not a mirage -- or blind optimism.
Our hope in Christ is a certainty; -- it's the real thing!
The Bible tells us that our hope in Christ is an anchor; -- & that anchor will never slip -- nor never fail (Heb. 6:19).
The Christian "rejoices in hope" -- because we know that our future is secure in Jesus Christ!
Without Christ you're like a ship tossed about on a raging sea.
But with Jesus as your Savior -- & the promises of God as the anchor of your soul -- you can ride out every stormy gale with safety & confidence.
Praise God -- we have an anchor that holds!
My friends -- Brighter days are just ahead!
A news boy -- poorly clothed & drenched by the soaking rain -- stood shivering in the doorway -- one cold day in November.
First one bare foot -- & then the other -- was lifted for a moment -- & pressed against his leg -- to get a little warmth.
Every few minutes his shrill cry could be heard: -- "Morning paper! -- Morning paper!"
A man who was well protected by his coat & umbrella -- stopped to buy the early edition of the newspaper.
Noting the boy's discomfort -- the man said: -- "This kind of weather is pretty hard on you -- isn't it?"
Looking up with a smile -- the youngster replied: -- "I don't mind too much, Mister. -- The sun will shine again."
Oh -- what a picture of the Christian life!
Chilling winds of adversity -- & gray skies of a sin-filled environment -- can easily discourage us.
But we can always count on better days ahead -- because we know God is working in our lives!
Sometimes you may feel there's no way out of a tough situation.
Maybe it’s a problem at school -- at work -- at home -- in the family.
Maybe it’s a concern about your health -- or your wealth -- or not having enough of either!
In all these situations -- discouragement comes easily -- unless -- or until hope opens the door to your faith!
You can stand any tough times -- if you know they are only temporary!
No matter how dark the day may become -- we still have the promises of God's Word to encourage us!
Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- we have no fear -- because the Lord is right there with us every step of the way! -- & on the other side we discover our eternal home!
That's why we are able to sing: --
"While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown, -- And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, -- Let me hide myself in Thee."
And we sing: -- “When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we'd first begun."
If you want to hear some good up-to-date images of heaven -- just attend a few black funerals.
The black preachers paint word pictures of a life so serene & sensuous -- that everyone in the congregation starts fidgeting just to go there.
What causes this difference in outlook -- in the face of death?
The answer is hope; -- a hope that traces directly to the black's bedrock belief in heaven! -- My friends -- it is sound theology!
Songs like -- "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home" -- came out of a tragic period of history -- when everything in this world looked bleak.
But somehow black churches managed to instill a vivid belief in an eternal home beyond this one! -- An authentic hope in heaven!
That is the blessed hope we all have as born-again Christians!
The Apostle John
wrote: -- "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us -- for He allows
us to be called His children -- & we really are! ... Yes, dear friends, we
are already God's children, -- & we can't even imagine what we will be like
when Christ returns. -- But we do know that when He comes -- we will be like
Him -- for we will see him as He really is.
-- And every man that has this hope in him purifieth himself -- even as
He is pure” (1
That is our purifying hope! -- & such purity of heart is truly desirable to all serious minded Christians!
My dear friends -- stay away from sin -- & keep close to Jesus Christ!
Allow God through His Holy Spirit -- to cleanse & purify your heart.
Seek to be Christ-like in every area of your life!
Allow the purifying effect of this "blessed hope" -- to make you clean!
The gospel of Jesus Christ never says -- "Be happy." -- But it does say -- "Be holy." -- So aim at the highest -- & happiness will come!
Of course -- if you have never trusted Christ as your Savior -- you have no eternal hope!
It is only as you surrender to Him -- & to His will for your life -- that hope comes alive in your heart!
When you know Christ -- you have help -- & you have hope -- so that the present & the future -- are all taken care of!
No wonder the Christian experiences -- happiness!
"Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help -- whose hope is in the Lord his God."
3. So thirdly -- let's look at the word "Happiness"!
What is happiness? --
We have many clever & shallow definitions of happiness these days.
But to the mature person -- happiness is much deeper than what these juvenile definitions describe.
Happiness is that wonderful feeling of well-being that comes when we are depending on God's help -- & living in God's will!
If you are depending on your own help -- ultimately you will fail!
If you are living for your own will -- you can never really be happy.
Happiness comes in having a right relationship with God -- & in doing His will for your life!
We have such a distorted view as to what happiness really is!
In one of her Inspirational Thoughts -- Crystal Boyd wrote: --
"We convince ourselves that life will be better -- after we get married -- have a baby -- then another.
Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough -- & we'll be more content when they are.
After that -- we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with.
We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse get his/ her act together; -- when we get a nicer car; -- when we are able to go on a vacation; -- or perhaps we will be complete when we retire!"
"The truth is -- there is no better time to be happy than right now!
If not now -- then when? -- Your life will always be filled with challenges!
It's best to admit this to yourself -- & decide to be happy now -- anyway!"
"Stop waiting until you finish school; -- or until you go back to school; -- until you lose 10 pounds; -- until you gain 10 pounds; -- until you have kids; -- until your kids leave the house; -- until you start work; -- until you retire; -- until you get married; -- until you get divorced; -- until Friday night; -- until Sunday morning; -- until you get a new car or home; -- until your car or home is paid off; -- until spring; -- until summer; -- until fall; -- until winter; -- until you get off welfare; -- until you've had a drink; -- until you've sobered up; -- until your ship comes in -- until your song comes in!"
"There's no better time to be happy than right now!
Happiness is a journey -- not a destination." -- (found on the internet).
My friends -- happiness is a by-product of a right relationship with God!
When we know that our help comes from God -- & we have that hope that comes from the promises of God -- than we have every reason to be happy -- right now!
If you look for happiness in all the wrong places -- you will never find it.
But if you determine to trust God -- & obey Him -- then happiness will come your way!
Live your life for God; -- develop that right relationship with Him; -- allow Him to be your Helper; -- discover the hope that is rightfully yours! -- & happiness will be yours!
Conclusion:
-- Right here in this one simple
little vr. -- Psalm
It has all the iron -- & all the vitamins -- you need to live the successful & happy Christian life!
Plenty of vitamin "H"; -- help -- hope -- happiness.
Let me ask you -- what is it you need right now?
Do you need help? -- "Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help..."
Do you need hope? -- "Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help -- whose hope is in the Lord his God."
When you have God's help -- & when you have the hope that comes through Jesus Christ -- you will experience happiness as well
You will have help for today -- & hope for tomorrow -- because you trust in Jesus. -- And you will have happiness in your heart as a blessed by-product of God's wonderful grace.
Why not allow God to put a song in your heart today?!
Leo Tolstoy --
the Russian novelist & philosopher -- told how at age
In fact for almost two years -- he wrestled with himself -- struggling to hold on.
He even admitted that he would hide rope -- lest in moments of despair -- he would reach for it -- & hang himself from the rafters in the attic.
But one day Leo while walking -- tried to think through his belief in God.
And as he thought about God -- there was a sudden upsurge of energy that possessed his soul -- & a spring came into his step!
My friends -- with all the strength that I can command this morning -- let me emphasize: -- When we have God in our lives -- we have every reason to sing & to shout!
But when God goes out of our lives -- we don't have much at all to sing about! -- Belief in God -- properly understood -- always set us to singing -- singing -- singing!
For happiness -- & joy -- & singing -- comes in having a right relationship with God -- & in doing His will for your life!
Psalm 146
1) Praise you the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2) While I live will I praise the Lord: -- I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being -- (for as long as I live).
3) Put not your trust in princes, nor in mortal men, in whom there is no help.
4) When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; -- on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5) Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6) The Maker of heaven & earth, the sea, & everything in them: -- the Lord who remains faithful forever.