Finding the Path of True Happiness

Psalm 1:1–6 NASB95

1 How blessed 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! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

What delights you?

Defensive posture against wickedness

How we don’t walk (behave) - advice of wicked

What advice are we accepting? Not always the most heinous, consider Jesus and Peter. Thoughts govern how we walk.

How we don’t stand (maintain a position) - path of sinners

Not what sinners say, but the example (path) they’ve given.

Ex. On the plaza. Stopped because I saw some nice blazers. But then noticed they were $500 and up. A price I don’t want to pay.

If you maintain a stance on the path of sinners, it will leave you with a moral bill you can’t afford!!!

How we don’t sit (settled and belonging) - seat of scoffers

Scoffers are the worst because they ridicule GOD - Complete conformity to the world

Embracing posture toward the Lord

Full pleasure in the word of the Lord

How can we be stressed, envious, or unhappy with not looking like or experiencing the world’s pleasure, if my pleasure is in what the Lord says, promises, instructs, encourages, etc.

This is how pleased - Meditate day and night

Is it sustainable?

Will it last through the seasons?

Tree planted by streams

Deeply rooted in source of life; productive; weathers the storms and still useful

Chaff

Rootless and detached from source of life; weak, empty, and useless; blown around in storms (unhappy in storms)

Will it remain in judgment?

Can only be decided by GOD!

The stance they maintain won’t hold up. Separated from God’s community.

The Lord knows, cares, familiar, delights, and attends the road that his righteous are on. The start, journey, and destination have the Lord in it!!!

The wicked have just the opposite. Thus the destination will be full of unhappiness!!

Conclusion: Finding the path of true happiness begins with knowing the Lord and the Lord knowing you!! It is sustained by being deeply rooted in the Lord that nothing moves you away, and the end result is more happiness because the Lord is still with you.