Shortly after I wrote the chapter on Covetousness, the Lord woke me with the phrase: “The Pursuit of Happiness” and then put it upon my heart to sit down to write what the Holy Spirit would reveal. His grace brought the perfect solution as to what we could then replace covetousness with:
The Pursuit of Happiness (His Way!)
The dictionary gives the definition of pursuit as: the act of pursuing, chasing, or striving after.
And happiness is defined as: the state of being joyful and content and fulfilled! The state of being happy and feeling blessed is happiness.
So, in other words, in the pursuit of happiness, one is pursuing that which they believe will make “them” happy.
This would change from person to person.
For example, some things that make me happy are savoring warm chocolate Coca-Cola cake with vanilla ice cream, playing and singing peaceful music at my keyboard, being goofy with my grandchildren at the park, walking in the woods on a 75-degree day, spending hours in God’s presence and studying the Word, a romantic comedy, romantic times with my mate, etc.
But for my younger sister it would be spending time with her grandchildren, driving cross-country, riding her horses, getting her bills wiped out, loving her organic food storage and wholesome baking, hat-making with her knitting machine, her cute little doggies jumping onto her lap, and so on.
Most of these things I’d not like at all! My sister is completely different than me! What makes her happy is not what would make me happy. What makes me happy would not make her happy.
So, can we conclude then, just from this example alone, that happiness would be defined DIFFERENTLY by each and every person? And that it is therefore an “individual” pursuit? …This “pursuit of happiness”??
Indeed, the pursuit of happiness is a pursuit defined by the person pursuing it!
If each individual’s pursuit of happiness is different, then what would be God’s part in all this? (This is the question that suddenly comes to my mind.)
In America, our own Bill of Rights declares that the “pursuit of happiness” is an unalienable right that our Creator has given to all men equally. And yes, it is so! It is logical that those who desire Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness must recognize their Creator in order to pursue their rights IN HIM. Right?
I hear the word within, from scripture: BLESSED.
In the amplified version of the bible, Blessed is defined as “happy, spiritually prosperous, with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of outward conditions”. Hmmm, sounds to me that “Blessed”, as the bible defines it, and experiencing happiness are synonymous! The definition of “blessed” actually goes a step fuller-deeper in fulfillment than “happy”, in that it isn’t always necessarily dependent on circumstances being perfect.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with each individual desiring to BE happy and blessed. But God knows that sometimes we, as men and women, are deceived as to what will actually bring us that happiness we seek. He is God, after all, and created you and me.
He knows each one of us intimately – even before we know Him intimately… and so He is aware of “how” He created in us this desire to Be Happy, and even “how” happiness is truly met. And we recently learned that “covetousness” is not the way!
Our loving God removes covetousness from us, and His grace brings the perfect answer of what we can then replace covetousness with: His Blessing!
I believe He knew we would need some idea as to what He, our master designer, has determined would indeed bring us lasting happiness. The scriptures throughout the Word of God identified by the phrase “BLESSED IS” or “BLESSED ARE” reveal what ALL OF US can have IN COMMON that leads to our happiness.
Or, in other words, these “happiness assurances” apply to us all, even as we combine them with our individual pursuits of happiness.
I hope you are following me thus far …for we are going to trust God, and His Word, and begin to peer into His counsels now, as to what will make each one of us happy. These may be interpreted differently by each of us, but God is speaking, that they are indeed His help to aid us in our individual pursuit of happiness.
These are the things (if embraced, believed, and pursued) that will bring each of us individually the happiness we seek.
I am going to get you started by sharing what I have discovered today simply by doing a little research of my own.
I have done “the work of it” and typed these out… so that then you can grab hold of one or two (hopefully more) of them, and follow after them… in your own pursuit… for your own happiness.
Remember, it is God Himself telling us that these will lead to the “happiness” of each one of us. We are his kids.
What Father doesn’t want his children happy and blessed? (smile)
We will, therefore, do well, to heed them and ponder them… for our own individual happiness.
Here we go: These are the “Blessed is” and “Blessed are” passages I discovered in the Word of God, in chronological order of the scripture text. I added my own little commentary underneath each.
Blessed are you oh Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places. Duet 33:29
Happy is Israel… God’s chosen nation…And Happy are Believers, for they are a people saved by the Lord Jesus Christ!
Galatians 3:29 declares:
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Read that again.
What makes Believers happy is belonging to Christ. We, too, have the Lord as our shield, helper, and sword. We are to believe and realize that our enemies will not succeed over us, but that we ourselves will tear down our enemies’ high places.
We are a people are saved by the Lord, just as Duet 33:29 declares! Amen!
Blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17
It need not make us “unhappy” when we are disciplined and corrected. We shouldn’t be angry at God for bringing it on… It will lead to our happiness if embraced. As a father disciplines his kids, for their good… the same is true of our Heavenly Father. His intent is that righteousness will come forth! And righteousness brings about happiness for we close the door to The Enemy being able to wreak havoc in our lives! Blessings come instead. Amen?!
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the mockers. Psalm 1:1
Do not embrace the thoughts, the ways, and the bad attitudes of the unsaved people around you. If we believers are mindful to associate with them, without adapting to them, we will be happier… For their descriptors are wicked, sinners, and mockers. We will be happy if we are influencing them, and not them us… For note there is a progression: walk, stand, sit. The more we associate with unbelievers without bringing them to Jesus, the more we settle in to their ways and become corrupted, even if at first we seemingly “innocently” keep their company.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Psalms 2:12
We are to fear the Lord, in terms of reverencing Him, and keeping ourselves living in the way of righteousness.
As we trust in the Son, delighting to obey and honor him, we will be happy and blessed by doing so. In the context of Psalm 2, the leaders of the earth are the ones being warned. In the prior verse it says, “Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.” Most believers are aware that Christ is “holding back his wrath”, and we want our trust in him at such a time as he may have that wrath kindled but a little. Scripture tells us that one day he will judge the peoples of the earth in his wrath, so we will be happy if we continue to keep our trust in him, no matter what warnings he is giving the nations that rage against him. Note, it says “when” his wrath is kindled but a little, in this verse, so it will happen; and, we believers must not become offended and perish from the way, when we see his wrath kindled but a little. All they that put their trust in Christ, kissing the Son with trust and obedience, will be happy and blessed, amidst what is going to go on around about us.
Romans 11:22 says “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off.”
These are serious verses I know. But sometimes you have to take life seriously, so you come to peace, and know “genuine happiness” and not just “superficial happiness.”
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven…whose sins are covered. Psalms 32:1
If you are believing in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for your forgiveness and for the covering of all your sin, you are happy in this state of BEING. Your sins can no longer torment you! Of course, that makes one happy!!
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him, and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalms 32:2
You are happy if you are aware that the Lord is not counting your sin against you…for his grace is greater than all your sin, Hallelujah! But don’t be deceiving yourself by your walking in sin either! Your happiness will leave quickly if you knowingly practice habitual sin… thinking Christ is okay with it. “In whose spirit is no deceit” means you aren’t lying to yourself in this way …thinking your sin is okay. Jesus gave himself as sin, crucifying it, so you wouldn’t have to sin. Walk in that liberty! For happy are you in knowing the Lord doesn’t count your sin against you. Those whose spirit is in deceit will continue to have the weight of conviction being felt until they repent. And yet this too, is great grace. When you align yourself, through repentance, happiness will flood your soul!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
We, as God’s people, who are believers, can be happy because we are his inheritance, and he is our God. We are a holy nation within our own individual nation. But if the United States, as a nation, would have the Lord as our God, and as a nation honor and serve Him, we as a nation would be a happy people! Either way the believer can’t lose! … because even if the United States would continue to go away from God (heaven forbid), we as individuals who are believers still have God as our Lord. I personally believe the United States is a people God has chosen as his inheritance, so let’s all pray together that we, as a nation, return to our original foundations in God!
Also, the thought comes: Instead of just our saying “One Nation Under God” wouldn’t it be awesome to experience “All Nations Under God”? The idea thrills me! (smile)
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that takes refuge in him Psalms 34:8
We will be happy if we will take refuge in the Lord and see for ourselves that He’s so good. i.e., Ask and receive!
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4
Be single minded! You will be happy if you are aware that it is your Lord that has the answers for you…not another person who thinks they’re wise… or someone who tries to turn you aside to another philosophy, or their false gods. You will only know true happiness while abiding in the Lord Jesus! Making him alone your trust. The LGBTQ, for instance, is proud… in their deception… and would have you turn aside to false gods, and have you accept their marriages outside of God’s laws… their sexual unions outside of God’s laws. You will never be happy in your compromise with the proud… and with the false gods they serve. Instead, make the Lord your trust. Amen?!
Take a stand! You’ll be blessed! Another example: Look not to the proud in regard to believing abortion is okay. In their pride women believe that their right over their own body is of more importance than The Creator’s right to have his own creation brought forth into the world. Such arrogance! They have turned aside to a false god of “self” and have no regard to the sanctity of the life of their own child!
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak. The Lord delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41:1
What if someone around you is weak in body, is weak in mental capacity, is weak in skills or talent, is weak in finances, or is weak in personality? Well, do not make fun of them or speak ill of them! If you will regard them as having value and importance, the Lord will deliver you in times of trouble. This will definitely make you happy! It is a conditional promise. So, you will be happy in meeting the condition. The Lord loves all He has made, how He has made them, and we do well to remember this.
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We are filled with good things of your house…of your holy temple. Psalm 65:4
Many of us will interpret the verse here in varying ways, but the thought here is that we will be happy as we are drawing near to the Lord… the word “we” denotes going to church and being with other believers in unity, for it’s the dwelling together in his presence, living in His courts, that makes each of us happy! He tabernacles among us, and dwells with us. He also dwells within us, and we are his temple. This verse is about enjoying INTIMACY with Him, and fellowship with other believers in his house.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house… They are ever praising you! Psalms 84:4
Clearly, this is speaking of being in his presence…again. Happiness is definitely experienced while Dwelling in the awareness of Him, and our oneness with our brothers and sisters (those and they, in our verse) … full of praise and worship together toward our God. There is nothing like being in unity in our praise! It makes us all gloriously happy! Unity will indeed come to His Church as all our eyes begin to gaze on Jesus! We get out of our flesh, and worship in spirit and truth, freeing our souls from worry and care. There is a place of commanded blessing in unity.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you…who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalms 84:5
Happy are you if you don’t trust your own strength but you only trust God’s… Then it would never matter if you would lose strength, in your own person, for it was never in yourself in the first place. Would you fall apart if you were suddenly injured/maimed physically? Lost your mental capacities? Or your reputation was damaged?
Happy are you if your strength is in the Lord, for then you won’t be totally crushed if your own strength diminishes.
To have your heart set on pilgrimage will make you happy because you are exploring the Word continually and going forward in your discoveries of the Lord. You do not attach to places or things on earth, for you are on a quest, a pilgrimage, and this world is not your home. You go where He says to go, and you do what He says to do.
For you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. You recognize your life is a sacred journey that you’re taking…ever moving along in time and circumstance, as you gaze upon the Lord. You also realize you can’t take things with you to Heaven, so you won’t attach your heart to temporal things.
Oh Lord Almighty, Blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalms 84:12
The Lord Almighty is defined as the union of the Father and Son and the Holy Ghost in one Godhead. He is sovereign, omniscient, and omnipresent…i.e. He is everywhere present and has unlimited power and all is under his control. Happy are we who trust in Him. Who better to trust? Certainly not ourselves! We will be most miserable and unhappy trusting in our own selves!
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you…who walk in the light of your presence O Lord. Psalms 89:15
To acclaim means to admire, adulate, praise, compliment, applaud, pat on the back, And speak well of someone.
This is a learned behavior and comes with practice. But happy are those who open their mouths and do this… acclaiming the Lord… from a heart of praise. The more we speak of the Lord to others in a positive manner, the happier we will be.
To walk in the light of his presence means to be aware of him near you always, and to walk in obedience to what you know to say or do, as led by the Holy Spirit within you. Indeed, God is saying you’ll be happy if you do this!
Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord…The man you teach from your law. Psalm 94:12
Happy to be disciplined? Yes indeed! Being taught from discipline, usually in the form of a consequence of a bad choice, has a way of leaving us with “lasting wisdom”, i.e., we don’t want to repeat the discipline! Sometimes discipline is from hearing from the Word, whether read or from preaching. It’s sharp – brings conviction of sin –
and when we align ourselves to God’s truth, we are freed from guilt. Oh yes! The Word of God will bring about wisdom… which brings about happiness. It is a great gift to have our Lord teach us and correct us. I personally have come to “cherish” the Word of God. It is my “happiness” to be taught from it, truly.
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalms 106:3
Following the moral principles that determine just conduct, doing what is right, equitable, and properly fair…will most definitively make us all happy! God’s ways are right and just.
Do we realize how much “consistency” is craved by those in our generation? To find someone they can “know” will respond in a just way and do what is right, all the time, is a rarity these days! Yet to be consistent will make each one of us happy! Let’s ask God to enable us to maintain justice and do what is right, constantly… Consistently!
Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord…who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1
A holy reverence for the Lord will cause us to realize his commands are not grievous… instead a delight will be experienced. We know, within, that it is the Almighty God who looks out for us in all He commands. Love motivates everything He does, for God is love. What He asks of us, in way of command, if for our good!
To fear the Lord, we also must be aware of the severity of God, and this is the opposite side of God’s kindness. We realize that there are consequences with going away from His commands. Therefore, we surely will delight in them, rather than disobeying them! Amen!
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1
Blameless means you can live without guilt or blame…for torment comes from guilt. If you are irreproachable in your ways and walk in what the bible teaches you, you will know true happiness…the kind that comes within.
When God’s people learn to walk blameless before God and according to The Word, then they “close the door” to the Enemy wreaking havoc in their lives. Obedience is a protection to us!
When I wrote my song, Like An Eagle, a stanza in it says, “Obedience is Freedom” … and I pictured a flying eagle soaring high, and enemy arrows were unable to reach him as they were targeted toward him, for he was up so very high! And the Lord whispered, “That’s what obedience does! It keeps you from the enemy… it keeps you in the will of God… so you fly like an eagle!”
Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all of their heart. Psalms 119:2
We see a pattern, don’t we? That obedience is a true key to happiness… yet here we see that our “focus” toward Him is also a key. Are we seeking him with all our heart? …or do we have other more important matters to attend to.
We each need to ponder how much we are going “after Him” in our own pursuit of happiness. Clearly, we can not have happiness without Him!
Oh, I’m doing that, you say.
So, the Lord told me to ask “you” a question:
“Do you pursue Christ as you would a million dollars?”
Interesting question, I thought.
I think we are suddenly being made aware just to what degree the “seeking him with all their heart” means from God’s perspective.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them (speaking of children), they will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:5
Totally opposite of what the world says, scripture tells us that to HAVE children brings happiness! In fact, the more the merrier! A large family is an incredible stronghold! The good kind… like amazing protection from the onslaught of what’s out there in the world! You’ve heard the saying? “All for one and one for all”? Well, it rings true! Therefore, a big family is a definite key to happiness! God said from the beginning, “Be fruitful and multiply”!
My siblings and I can testify, that we come from a big family, and it is a Christian family. I bear witness that it is easier for us all to contend with our enemies in the gate, because we pray for and encourage one another in our faith, and we get together often for fun and fellowship, building one another up! Indeed, this verse is true, even in modern day! We are not put to shame… but stand strong! All of us are happy our godly parents “had a quiver full” for ours was a family of seven.
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. Psalms 128:1
To fear the Lord means to honor and reverence him for who He is… and to walk in his ways; therefore, we must “know” his ways. Our part is to feed upon the Word of God daily, gleaning truths and becoming familiar with his ways. And then throughout our days to be listening to the Spirit of God within us as He leads and guides (this Grace is His Part). He brings to remembrance the truths we have put within, and we are able to grow wise and discerning in Christ. This then enables us to walk in his ways.
Blessed are the people of whom this is true; Blessed are the people whose God is The Lord. Psalms 144:15
One must ask the self: Who IS my God? We will be happy only if we serve The Lord. Why? Because he is the only God! Hear what Isaiah 45:5-6 says,
“I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.”
Go ahead, look it up and mark it in your bible! I’m not sure how much more clarity the Lord can give people: If you do not have The Lord, as your God, you are never going to be happy, because there is no other God but the Lord!
Blessed is the man whose help is from the God of Jacob…whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalms 146:5
Do you go to man first? Or to God first when you need help? To be happy you first go to God. Then, He can choose whether to use men to help… or not. He may give you a solution that doesn’t even include others. You’re happy if you realize that He is your source. I remember a Joyce Meyer quote: “Do you go to the phone? Or do you go to the Throne?”
No matter what you go through, you’re happy if your hope is in the Lord… For hope is how you look to the future.
Are you optimistic or pessimistic? If your hope is in The Lord, you will always be optimistic, because you realize all things are possible with the Lord. This makes you happy! You may be helpless but you’re never hopeless! Amen?!
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom… the man who gains understanding. Prov 3:13
We note this verse is at the beginning of Proverbs, which is the wisdom book of the Bible. If you can read a chapter of Proverbs a day, each day of the month, as my father taught me to do, you will grow wise! And, if you heed that wisdom, you will indeed be happy.
Blessed are they that keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32
This is wisdom speaking. We will be happy if we walk in wisdom. Wisdom only comes from the fear of The Lord, practicing his presence, and keeping his Word. Wisdom realizes that though we have “free will” to go our “own way”, we will not be blessed in doing so, but rather, we are blessed in keeping His Ways.
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34
This is Wisdom talking. And, interestingly, in the New Testament, I Corinthians 1:30 tells the believer that Christ IS our wisdom. I quote: “Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God.” Therefore, this verse being interpreted means happy is the man who listens to Christ, watching and waiting, so He can open the door of true wisdom. HE is Wisdom. He is the Word. He gives wisdom when asked (see James 1:5).
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21
Clearly, we will be happy by showing kindness to those who are needy around us, rather than despising them or looking down upon them with the attitude that “we are better than them”. So often we judge wrongly and say, They’re “lazy” or “undisciplined”, or accuse them of giving up too soon. Pharoah’s pride did the same toward the people of Israel! He accused them of laziness. It was not so! And it was ridiculous! It was straight from The Accuser, and not God! So too, it is our pride that causes us to despise our neighbor.
These bad kinds of attitudes will bring the Heavenly Father’s “discipline” toward us, rather than happiness. He will reward those who are kind to the needy. James 2:2-9 gives warning about having respect of persons. It is sin, as Proverbs warns. Verse 5 tells us “God has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom”; Therefore, happy are we if we have a good attitude toward them and are kind to them. Amen?!
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20
We are happy if we trust in the Lord enough to heed his instruction. We are told we will be both happy and prosperous! Happiness and prosperity come from trusting and obeying! We can ask him for his strategies, solutions, and instructions along life’s way, and then trust what He tells us, and follow through with what He gives us, heeding his instruction. Happiness will come forth, for sure, when God is instructing us.
When any of us becomes “proud” and “unteachable” we are in harm’s way. We cannot prosper the way the Lord desires us to. We actually set ourselves up for a fall!
But if we wait on God “for instruction” – heed it when we get it – and trust in Him… He will prosper us the way He desires to. And this type of prospering is lasting. It is done God’s way.
The righteous man leads a blameless life. Blessed are his children after him. Proverbs 20:7
In other words, happy are the children of those who have had righteous parents, for they would have instilled into them the same morality, integrity, character, hard work, love for God, respect for others, and blameless life qualities. In short, Happy are those children who have good role models! They will follow the righteous man’s example and make something of their own lives. My siblings and I have no doubt whatsoever that we are blessed due my father being a godly man, for he served the Lord and led a blameless life before us. My mother did too! As the result of this promise, and my parents leading a blameless life, all us kids (now past 50) inherited this promise! Fathers, it is never too late to turn toward the Lord, that your generations may be blessed after you. Even if now old, if you begin to lead a blameless life, your children will take notice, and be affected by your life. They can be blessed. Hallelujah!
Blessed is a man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls in trouble. Proverbs 28:14
To fear the Lord means you keep yourself open and reverential to what HE has to say about things. You choose to heed His Will over your own. When someone hardens his heart, he falls into trouble because he no longer has respect for what the Lord has to say. He gives God no place… This man will never be truly happy.
In fact, he will fall into trouble, due to disobedience or going his own way.
Again, we see the word “always” above, which denotes “consistency” in walking in this reverential fear of the Lord. Let’s continue to have that as an inward goal.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
Happy is the man who Obeys the Word of God. You must know what God says… receive revelation from it… and truly hear it …. to keep it. People are casting off restraint because there’s no revelation being imparted to them.
Their minds and hearts are being filled with frivolous lying vanities. As a result of ignorance, lawlessness abounds! The ignorant of God will never be happy, for they know not what can truly make them happy.
The fact that you’re even reading this, means you’re on the right track. You’re receiving revelation.
Blessed are you O Land, whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time… for strength… and not for drunkenness. Ecclesiastes 10:17
Clearly, this verse emphasizes that when there’s no self-control in areas of appetite, you can’t be happy. We are happy when we eat, for strength… and not drunkenness…or in other words, for pleasure and in excess.
This verse also implies that a nation, or extended family, is happy when it has leadership that is not self-serving but disciplined for the betterment of the whole.
Indulgences are different than eating and drinking for strengthening…they are “in excess of” what is good for us physically. Overindulgence never makes one happy.
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
We are happy if we will wait on the Lord because he wants to be gracious to us and he does rise up to show us compassion. We must realize he is a God of justice, and this will make us happy, and we need not take matters into our own hands!
He is able to be trusted with our situation! If we will but wait on him, happiness can remain ours, despite present conditions!
This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Isaiah 56:1
Again, we are reminded that we will be happy if we choose to do what is right, all the while believing that our Lord will soon come with his salvation (our rescue or solution), and his righteousness will be revealed (in hindsight we will see the right timing, actions, and considerations of our Lord).
We also are told keeping the Sabbath is the key to happiness. A couple, or a family, who worships and prays together stays together. When we honor God with our worship and rest on the Sabbath we will be happy, for we truly receive a refreshing in our body, soul, and spirit.
One of the reasons men in modern day are going away from God is that many have desecrated (gone away from) the Sabbath and have failed to keep it as a holy and restful day.
Blessed is the man who trusts in The Lord…whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7
Happy is a person who has confidence not in man but in God. This immediately makes me think of the scripture Psalms 20:6-8 which reads,
“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
If we can indeed trust the Lord and have our confidence that this is true, we will be happy. We won’t waiver.
From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. Daniel 12:11-12
This verse is found in Daniel 12 which tells of the end times. Read it for context on your own, for it is a prophecy of the future.
For the purpose of the study, it just clearly tells us that happy are those who endure and make it through this time period, without wavering in their faith. Those who witness this event need to press into the Lord and endure. For now, simply Be Aware and Alert.
Now into the New Testament and its verses about who is promised happiness:
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
Happiness is first realized when we recognize our own poverty of spirit and humbly acknowledge our need for both a Savior and a Guide (Lord) in our life. I read somewhere once that the person who is poor in spirit is the person who has been humbled by God and seeks only to speak what he or she has learned from Him. The poor in spirit realize their need for God, usually from the experience of how horrible it is to be apart from Him.
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Happiness awaits those who mourn over those things that would keep Christ from having reign over their lives…
Things such as a known sin, an addiction, an improper relationship, broken promises we’ve made, or all kinds of failures of doing things our own way. II Corinthians 7:10 says,
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
We have to mourn these things, so we can then be comforted. God is then able to comfort us with the knowledge that He is able to put the pieces of our lives back together, as He’s given control.
Happiness indeed comes forth as He does his restorative work in our lives after true repentance!
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Meek is described as: humble, patient, compliant, kind, and trusting.
They are happy because they know they are going to inherit the earth. Hallelujah! It won’t be the big, strong, and tough, as Hollywood and society want to portray.
The meek can be happy knowing theirs is a Bright Future.
Another scripture that comes to mind is, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Clearly, happy are those who are meek and humble, because they are given great grace!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6.
In order for the Lord to feed us, we need to be hungry and thirsty. It is because of man’s lack of appetite that we are not fed spiritually. The happiest are those who have a thirst and appetite for the things of God, for they will be filled! Just as physical food makes someone happy when they’re very hungry, so does spiritual food make one happy and satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
Are you caring about the needs of those around you?
Do you stop and see a person as an individual?
Do you go out of the way to meet someone’s practical needs of food, clothing, and shelter? Do you take time to listen?
Then you are being merciful. Happy are you because you will be shown mercy! This is God’s promise to you. You have His word on it!
If you know that you’ll be given mercy if you are merciful, doesn’t it stand to reason that there need be no “fear of lack” as you give to someone else? God sees, and God repays. You will be very happy if you realize this!
Jesus was merciful to all he met. We will be like him on this earth if we follow his example, and come away from selfishness, and are kind and merciful to others who may need help.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
Be like Jesus… his love found the good in people… he focused on loving and giving…he believed the best in all people, whilst confronting sin.
The word tells us In Titus 1:15
“To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.”
How can we be happy if our minds and consciences are defiled? The good news is we can choose to change by coming to Christ and having him give us a clean conscience, thus purifying our hearts.
The Bible tells us in James 4:8 to “purify your hearts”, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” A double-minded person will never please God, nor can he receive anything of him.
Happiness will come for those who are pure, for they will see and experience God.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Instead of bringing dissension between people, trying to break up relationships, and bringing strife wherever you go, bring reconciliation between the parties, and between God and man, for that will make you true sons of God and you will know happiness.
Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
Second Timothy 3:12 says:
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
It may be in the form of mocking, or it may be as serious as being beaten or killed. People persecuted Jesus Christ… And, if you go out in his name, they will persecute you. It is a given. But the kingdom of heaven belongs to you, so be blessed in knowing our momentary trials are small compared to what awaits us in glory!
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
When persecuted, bear in mind that it is God who they are against, not you necessarily…and you will be strengthened if you understand this.
Be happy to suffer for the Lord as he suffered for you… You’ll be rewarded in heaven!
God is seeing it all. Every mocking, every unkind word, every insult, every discrimination… and great is your reward in heaven!
This privilege to be seen as HIS makes one happy to be persecuted as HIS. You can be happy, for this means your light is shining bright, and people see your faith in action. You are being “identified with Christ” – or they wouldn’t react against you…just as the prophets were identified as representing God in the Old Testament.
The verses we just went through – from the New Testament – Are verses from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, and are called “The Beatitudes”
I want to share this song I wrote from scripture… and this will help you to review these beatitudes! Enjoy!
The Beatitudes – Elizabeth Ann Smith – Receive From Me
Now we’ll continue on with our study:
“Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16:17
Simon Peter had received revelation from the Father when he answered Christ saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Indeed, it will make one happy to receive revelation from the Lord! Especially about the truth of who Jesus really is! When God tells us something that’s not necessarily told us by men, it makes our hearts joyful. It means we’re receiving “a treasure” from him, a nugget of priceless truth!
Anyone who reads the Bible and has depths of truth revealed by the Holy Spirit is blessed and so very happy! Happy are you if you hang onto everything that is revealed to you too! Let it take root…and you will bear much fruit.
Blessed is she who has believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45
This was spoken to Mary, the mother of Jesus… from Elizabeth who was just filled with the Holy Ghost! She was prophesying to Mary. However, these words can ring true for us too, if we believe the things God speaks to us directly.
We are happy when we believe His words to us will be fulfilled in our lives. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
But with Faith, we do please God, and what the Lord says to us, too, will be accomplished!
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. Luke 7:23
Jesus is basically saying that happy is the man who does not find in him a stumbling block or a reason for offense. The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to saving knowledge of him, yet many are offended by Him. The anti-Christ spirit is at work in the world during these end times, and anyone who speaks the name of Jesus, or follows Christ in lifestyle, is hated. Don’t let that spirit “bully you” to fall away from your faith in Jesus!
He turned to his disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! Luke 10:23
The disciples were blessed indeed! They saw the miracles and healings firsthand! They were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ and weren’t just told of all his words and actions. They experienced them directly! They saw with their own eyes, heard with their own ears, and engaged their senses in it all!
The same is true for us though. Our Jesus continues to work among us, and we continue to witness His work. We are happy when we get to see the Lord in action and see his miracles! …to see him touch people and change lives! His disciples saw him personally “physically doing” the miracles, yet we can see him doing miracles, signs, and wonders through his faithful servants.
If we have eyes to see, and ears to hear, in modern-day, we realize we are witnessing Jesus at work. We are happy and blessed too!
Then Jesus told him, because you’re seeing me you have believed… Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29
Doubting Thomas had to be shown that Jesus actually resurrected from the dead. He said he would not believe unless he put his hands in Jesus’ side and in the nail prints of His hands. He was given that privilege. However, Jesus responded with saying happy are those who have not seen him, yet still believe in him.
This gift of happiness is for each one of us who are saved by grace, through our faith.
Our Jesus IS Alive! Hallelujah!
Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven…. whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7
This verse sure sounds like Psalm 32:1, doesn’t it? (smile) Indeed, there’s nothing like being forgiven for our sins… to have them completely covered and wiped away! Guilt, torments, shame, uncertainty, and fear need not be part of our lives! That’s Good News! Amen?! The blood of Jesus made it all possible! Thank you, Jesus!
In addition, we are empowered to forgive others as we realize we ourselves are forgiven, and happiness is ours in doing that too!
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. Romans 4:8
Happiness is ours knowing our sin is not held against us. We do not need to keep “paying penance over and over” for something we have done that would be deemed a sin. When repented of, and washed under the blood of Jesus, the Lord will never count that sin against us ever again. That makes any of us happy! Right?! Who needs the pain and torment of condemnation?! Praise God, there is no condemnation when in Christ Jesus.
Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22
The original context dealt with eating and drinking matters. Following each one’s conscience was the way to dictate the right or wrong of a matter, so if you approved of something you ate or drank, at the time, then you weren’t to later condemn yourself for it. That’s a sure way to make yourself miserable. Second-guessing or being double-minded, as far as conscience, leads to misery for sure!
The truth is, we can know true happiness if we walk in the freedoms that are ours…doing what we do in faith, so that it is not sin for us. Each of us needs to be true to our own consciences and not condemn ourselves by what we approve. Other people can condemn us, but if we’re in good conscience we need not condemn ourselves, if we eat and drink certain things. Modern believers use this in the context of whether to socially drink, or drink just at home, or to not drink at all.
You can be happy if you are following your own conscience…not going against it. The Bible tells us to be sensitive to other people’s consciences, as well; Therefore, don’t flaunt your freedoms, or be a stumbling block to others, as you are exercising the freedom you are in yourself.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has withstood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Here we see that we will be happy if we will withstand testing and persevere under trials, for we can look forward in anticipation to the crown of life that will be ours, as our reward! God knows our love for Him! Our love for God is what will enable us to persevere and withstand the test of our faith.
It always makes one happy to know there is a reward and some type of meaningful compensation for what we do, especially that which has “suffering” and “persevering” attached to it. How blessed we are, as believers, knowing that a Crown of Life awaits us… and yet we are told in Revelation 4 that we will lay our crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power…” and we will realize how transcendent He Is.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written because the time is near. REV 1:3
Happy are those who read the book of Revelation… this is the only book of the Bible that has such a promise of blessing and happiness attached to it. We are to read it because the time is near when Jesus will take on governmental authority. Hallelujah! Believers must be aware of God’s Plan so they can be steadfast in their faith.
We are given a glimpse into the future that we might be prepared, made ready, and endure as God’s plan unfolds.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; Yes, says the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13
All they that die in the Lord are happy for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In this context, during tribulation, happy are those who will refuse the mark of the beast and give up their very lives for the Lord. In death, they rest from their labors. In death, their works follow them, to heaven, for reward. The martyrs, those who voluntarily suffer death rather than deny their religion, will be blessed in becoming dead. Please be ready for “the rapture”, the catching away of the Saints! (I Thess 4:17) Be found worthy to escape the tribulation! (Luke 21:36) …for you will have to endure and be a martyr to be loyal to the Lord if left behind.
Grace is the better way. It’s not by your works or labors; Jesus died so you could be saved from the wrath to come. Accept Jesus today!
Behold I come like a thief, blessed is he who stays awake and keep this close with him so that he may not be naked and shamefully exposed. Revelation 16:15
Walk in the grace that is yours and in the faith that is yours…so that you’re ready for the Lord’s imminent return.
Be alert and prepared to meet your maker always. You do not want to feel naked and ashamed due to your sin being exposed by His gaze.
Then the angel said to me, “Write, Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, and he added, “These are the true works of God.” Revelation 19:9
The church is the bride of Christ and all those who are of his true church are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Many believe the wedding supper will take place in heaven while the tribulation goes about down on earth among the wicked and unsaved. Only those ready for the rapture will be taken up for that. Are you ready? You are invited. Nothing on earth can bring such happiness as this wedding supper! It’s a celebration of a magnitude that could last 7 years! (smile)
So to prepare yourself for your wedding to Christ, as his Bride! Accept Jesus today! This is indeed the pursuit of Happiness.
Behold I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7
This is a promise! Christ is coming soon! Jesus says we will be blessed if we keep the words of the book of Revelation and his whole word. We must be ready!
Matthew 24:44 says,
“So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
We must be obedient to all He tells us through His Spirit and the Word.
Rev 22 tells us in verses 7, 12, and 20 that he comes soon and quickly!
Blessed are Those who wash their robes that they might have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14
We must be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, yet in this instance of “those who wash their robes”, the word “wash” is a present participle in the Greek, signifying an ongoing action… and “Those” are the ones doing the action. Hence, the washing of robes is expressed to be an ongoing action, not a single occurrence, and is interpreted by most scholars as “Do His Commandments”.
If we are truly cleansed by His Blood, we will find it a joy and honor to do his commandments. This is how we prepare ourselves for His Coming.
Revelation 19:7-8 says:
“…for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
Closing Remarks:
We’ve been looking at the verses that say who is “Blessed”…from God’s perspective.
My prayer is that The Holy Spirit enabled you to find a verse or two that was illuminated by Him, from this article, and that you can now make that truth part of your life!
Sometimes we want a formula…and that’s not always possible…But, could it be that, if we ponder and apply all of these verses, this is the formula given by God for being truly happy and blessed?!
Certainly, these Scriptures are worth meditating upon! There is a lot more “treasure in each one of them” than I mentioned in my personal commentary. I was short and brief…bringing to you only what the Spirit suggested in my mind to share.
Understanding some verses can become whole studies in themselves, should you desire to go on with The Pursuit! I’m sure you discovered that already for yourself (smile). The Holy Spirit is very good on taking our thoughts on “bunny trails”, as he instructs us, causing us to go here and there… in The Word… in our pondering… and in his revelation.
Be excited about that! It’s such a privilege! I love the way the Spirit “unfolds” truth. His word even says in Psalm 119:130, “The unfolding of your words gives light…it gives understanding to the simple!” Well, Amen to that! That’s what has just been done as we took the Blessed Is and Blessed Are passages of scripture and looked at them separated from the rest of the word, for a moment. We were given LIGHT and UNDERSTANDING…particularly into what will MAKE US HAPPY! Amen?!
I am praying that God will be with you and bring you success in your own “pursuit of happiness”!
Never forget, Christ Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundant! No happiness is possible without Him, so ask him to take the throne within your own heart and enjoy being Happy In Christ.
As Believers in Christ, we are Children of God, and therefore we are Blessed!
Our only “pursuit of happiness”, therefore, needs be IN CHRIST.
THINK ABOUT IT.
I love you in Jesus’ name,
Elizabeth Ann Smith
P.S. I was going to write “and May God Bless America!” after the “I love you in Jesus’ Name” in my complimentary close line above, but The Holy Spirit stopped me and told me to write this instead:
“May You Turn to God so God will Bless America.”