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Happy

In the United States, our declaration of independence has three core principles. One is life. The second is liberty and the last one is the pursuit of happiness. That is a good thing, but there is no guarantee.

In Gods declaration and agreement, he helps me to be happy. How do I know? The word we read, traditionally translated “blessed” means to be more than happy. God is all about our being happy. It is his goal for us.

While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Happy is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, happy are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”  | Luke 11:27–28 (NASB)

From Matthew 5. Jesus starts his manifesto (aka the Sermon on the Mounts) out with this.

  • “Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
  • “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
  • “Happy are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
  • “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
  • “Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
  • “Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
  • “Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
  • “Happy are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
  • “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Greek word is μακάριος. It means pertaining to being happy, with the implication of enjoying favorable circumstances — ‘happy.’

μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται ‘happy are those who show mercy, for God will be merciful to them’ Mt 5:7.

  1. Happiness comes from keeping God’s commands and being obedient.
    1. Proverbs 29:18 — 18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.
    2. Isaiah 56:1–2 —Thus says the Master, “Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed. How happy is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
    3. Matthew 24:46 (CSB) – “Happy is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.”
    4. Luke 12:43 (CSB) – “Happy is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.“
  2. Happiness comes from God’s word.
    1. Luke 11:27–28 (NASB) —While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Happy is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, happy are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
    2. Revelation 1:3 —Happy is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
    3. Revelation 22:7 — “And behold, I am coming quickly. Happy is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
  3. Happiness comes from the joyful sounds of God.
    1. Psalm 89:15 — How happy are the people who know the joyful sound! O Master, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
  4. Happiness comes from the discipline of God.
    1. Job 5:17 — “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
    2. Psalm 94:12 —Happy is the man whom You chasten, O Master, And whom You teach out of Your law;
  5. Happiness comes from not being evil.
    1. Psalm 1:1–2 —How happy is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Master, And in His law he meditates day and night.
  6. Happiness comes from fear of God.
    1. Psalm 112:1 —Praise the Master! How happy is the man who fears the Master, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
    2. Psalm 128:1 —How happy is everyone who fears the Master, Who walks in His ways.
    3. Proverbs 28:14 —How happy is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Sources:

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 301). New York: United Bible Societies.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017).Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.