THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS Psalms 1
INTRODUCTION: Are you happy?
1. One of the greatest desires of every human heart is to find happiness. The quest for happiness is as old as the human race itself.
2. Yet in spite of the fact that all want happiness and strive for it, very few people find it.
3. This would seem strange for most of the things that men really strive for, they find.
4. Why have they not found happiness? Simply because they have not learned to look for it in the right way and place.
I. WHAT IS THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE? The First Psalm holds the secret.
1. Blessed—happy—is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful" (Psalms 1:1).
2. Some might suppose that this is just an opinion, that some just
man ventured this as his opinion.
A. It is not a matter of opinion—it is a matter of law—moral law.
B. Happiness is the outcome of a law of life.
C. There is a law of happiness and it is just as real as the law of gravitation—a law of nature.
D. If the First Psalm is not true, everyone can disapprove it. If it is an appeal to life—to fact—to actual circumstances, it is an undeniable fact.
(1) We should look upon the scripture from this viewpoint.
They are not opinions but facts. We sometimes get the idea that things are of this nature. Some things are true just because they are in the Bible. They are in the Bible because they are true.
(2) The idea of God. Of course, it is true because it is in the Bible, but it is in the Bible because it is true. It would still be true if we did not have the Bible (Psalms 19:1).
(3) The book of Proverbs—what it says is true, but these things are in there because they are true (Proverbs 20:1).
—“Wine is a mocker"—that is history. "Strong drink is raging"—that is a fact. " Whoever is deceived thereby is not wise." A million hands go up to carry vote. No
reply.
(4) "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bare him" (Prov. 17:25). This would be easily contradicted if it were not so. But humanity stands up
and says whoever said that told the truth. He told, in a sentence, the history of a million broken hearts.
(5) This may help in our solution as to why we have failed to find happiness. When the Bible says blessed some have thought; well that's just an opinion. But it is law —it is history—it is fact. It is in the Bible because it is true. It is a moral necessity.
1. Blessed—happy—is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful" (Psalms 1:1).
2. Some might suppose that this is just an opinion, that some just
man ventured this as his opinion.
A. It is not a matter of opinion—it is a matter of law—moral law.
B. Happiness is the outcome of a law of life.
C. There is a law of happiness and it is just as real as the law of gravitation—a law of nature.
D. If the First Psalm is not true, everyone can disapprove it. If it is an appeal to life—to fact—to actual circumstances, it is an undeniable fact.
(1) We should look upon the scripture from this viewpoint.
They are not opinions but facts. We sometimes get the idea that things are of this nature. Some things are true just because they are in the Bible. They are in the Bible because they are true.
(2) The idea of God. Of course, it is true because it is in the Bible, but it is in the Bible because it is true. It would still be true if we did not have the Bible (Psalms 19:1).
(3) The book of Proverbs—what it says is true, but these things are in there because they are true (Proverbs 20:1).
—“Wine is a mocker"—that is history. "Strong drink is raging"—that is a fact. " Whoever is deceived thereby is not wise." A million hands go up to carry vote. No
reply.
(4) "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bare him" (Prov. 17:25). This would be easily contradicted if it were not so. But humanity stands up
and says whoever said that told the truth. He told, in a sentence, the history of a million broken hearts.
(5) This may help in our solution as to why we have failed to find happiness. When the Bible says blessed some have thought; well that's just an opinion. But it is law —it is history—it is fact. It is in the Bible because it is true. It is a moral necessity.
II. WHAT DO YOU SAY? DO YOU NOW WRITE A NEGATIVE VERDICT OVER THE FACE OF THAT DECISION? NOT BY LIP BUT BY LIFE, SAY I DO NOT BELIEVE IT?
1. Is there any man who loves darkness better than light, that serves the devil that can deny it?
A. What does the father say who has gone down to the depths of sin—thrown away his life? Does he call his boys around him and say, "Boys follow in my steps."
(1) This is the life for you to live. No! The father says "Do not follow in my steps." That would be the testimony of his humanity.
(2) Mr. Brewer killed his wife in a drunken brawl. He was in jail and sent for me to come to see him. He said, "Go talk to my children. Try to keep them from following in my steps."
2. It is the law of life, not chance, that the ungodly is not blessed.
1. Is there any man who loves darkness better than light, that serves the devil that can deny it?
A. What does the father say who has gone down to the depths of sin—thrown away his life? Does he call his boys around him and say, "Boys follow in my steps."
(1) This is the life for you to live. No! The father says "Do not follow in my steps." That would be the testimony of his humanity.
(2) Mr. Brewer killed his wife in a drunken brawl. He was in jail and sent for me to come to see him. He said, "Go talk to my children. Try to keep them from following in my steps."
2. It is the law of life, not chance, that the ungodly is not blessed.
III. LET US NOW LOOK AT THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE.
1. The blessed man not only avoids the sinful—he is engaged in the good. His life is positive.
A. "His delight is in the law of the Lord." It is not enough to shut up a bad book, you must have a good book in its place.
B. This may be part of the answer. We gave up but what did we let take its place? We have Bibles but ought to be Bible students (Col. 3:16).
C. "Upon His law will I meditate day and night." The word becomes a sermon, and a sermon a book.
D. You cannot disturb the man who is rooted in the Bible (I Cor. 15:58).
1. The blessed man not only avoids the sinful—he is engaged in the good. His life is positive.
A. "His delight is in the law of the Lord." It is not enough to shut up a bad book, you must have a good book in its place.
B. This may be part of the answer. We gave up but what did we let take its place? We have Bibles but ought to be Bible students (Col. 3:16).
C. "Upon His law will I meditate day and night." The word becomes a sermon, and a sermon a book.
D. You cannot disturb the man who is rooted in the Bible (I Cor. 15:58).
IV. THE HAPPY MAN HAS HIS LIFE ROOTED IN GOD AND IN HIS LAW.
1. A life severed from God cannot find rest, because he is severed from good, and it is the law that the good brings happiness.
2. A life severed from God is the victim of circumstances, frightened by surprise, disquieted by fears on every side. That is law, a moral necessity.
3. Happiness is based on law, the good prosper.
4. If the good man does not prosper they may say the same thing about God. Shall God or the devil win? If God; then goodness.
5. "Bringeth forth its fruit in its season" (V. 4).
A. There is a law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:6-9).
B. This law holds true both for the wicked and the righteous.
6. Give goodness time and it will reap. The same is true of evil. It takes time (Gal. 6:9).
1. A life severed from God cannot find rest, because he is severed from good, and it is the law that the good brings happiness.
2. A life severed from God is the victim of circumstances, frightened by surprise, disquieted by fears on every side. That is law, a moral necessity.
3. Happiness is based on law, the good prosper.
4. If the good man does not prosper they may say the same thing about God. Shall God or the devil win? If God; then goodness.
5. "Bringeth forth its fruit in its season" (V. 4).
A. There is a law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:6-9).
B. This law holds true both for the wicked and the righteous.
6. Give goodness time and it will reap. The same is true of evil. It takes time (Gal. 6:9).
V. "THE UNGODLY ARE NOT SO."
1. Some ungodly men seem well established. What about such?
A. Remember that appearances are not realities.
B. At a distance, chaff may look like wheat. But it is not.
2. The distinction between the ungodly and the godly is vital.
Just like distinction between wheat and chaff.
A. What mocking words are applied to the ungodly? House founded on the sand (Matt. 7:24-28).
B. Fact of life. Who would employ a man whom they knew to be bad at heart? Would he be trusted with property? Would he be turned to in trouble?"
C. The ungodly man cannot stand. He has neither strength nor virtue.
VI. SEPARATION BOUND TO COME (Verse 5)
1. This is the true and final test of character. Chaff and wheat.
2. The words—judgment and congregation—point to an ultimate condition of kind.
3. The man without God, the world is like a mad scramble. Principles and convictions are nothing. But has history justified this view of life?
4. Not an arbitrary arrangement or penalty inflicted without cause.
It is the logical outcome of a moral process. Evil leads to disappointment and death. Goodness to satisfaction and life (Romans 6:23).
5. There is no need to quibble about it, we see it in everyday life.
It is written everywhere. What are jails for? They are a necessity. Why? Because of moral law and the world would be chaos without it. If this is true in this life, what about the government of God?
1. This is the true and final test of character. Chaff and wheat.
2. The words—judgment and congregation—point to an ultimate condition of kind.
3. The man without God, the world is like a mad scramble. Principles and convictions are nothing. But has history justified this view of life?
4. Not an arbitrary arrangement or penalty inflicted without cause.
It is the logical outcome of a moral process. Evil leads to disappointment and death. Goodness to satisfaction and life (Romans 6:23).
5. There is no need to quibble about it, we see it in everyday life.
It is written everywhere. What are jails for? They are a necessity. Why? Because of moral law and the world would be chaos without it. If this is true in this life, what about the government of God?
VII. SINCE THERE IS A MORAL LAW AT WORK, CHARACTER MAKES THE DIFFERFENCE.
1. The final outcome determined by our relation to the Lord.
2. Our relation to the Lord determines character and character determines destiny. The destinies of men are just as distinct as is character.
3. This is shown by the consistency of the Bible. Obedience—life, disobedience—death. From the begin to The end, God associated with the good and against the evil. This never
changes.
4. What would happen if all the good took up the side of evil? Ruin would be the result. Therefore, it is not possible for God to be on the side of evil. Sodom was destroyed because there were not enough righteous people (Gen. 18:23-33).
5. On God's first interview with man, he spoke of death and life.
At the final judgment, men will be classified under these two headings (Matt. 25:46).
6. Happiness is a question settled by moral law. If we are right, of necessity we will be blessed. If evil, then cursed.
7. It is impossible to alter moral qualities of moral issues.
8. This is the reason that happiness is the result of moral law and not a matter of chance.
1. The final outcome determined by our relation to the Lord.
2. Our relation to the Lord determines character and character determines destiny. The destinies of men are just as distinct as is character.
3. This is shown by the consistency of the Bible. Obedience—life, disobedience—death. From the begin to The end, God associated with the good and against the evil. This never
changes.
4. What would happen if all the good took up the side of evil? Ruin would be the result. Therefore, it is not possible for God to be on the side of evil. Sodom was destroyed because there were not enough righteous people (Gen. 18:23-33).
5. On God's first interview with man, he spoke of death and life.
At the final judgment, men will be classified under these two headings (Matt. 25:46).
6. Happiness is a question settled by moral law. If we are right, of necessity we will be blessed. If evil, then cursed.
7. It is impossible to alter moral qualities of moral issues.
8. This is the reason that happiness is the result of moral law and not a matter of chance.
VII. CONCLUSION:
Happiness is not obtained by seeking it.
Happiness is a by-product of Christian principles applied to daily living.
Happiness is not obtained by seeking it.
Happiness is a by-product of Christian principles applied to daily living.
-SLECTED-