The Pursuit of Happiness

Introduction

E.g. Chasing the jet ski

Fell off jet ski & had to keep swimming after it as it ‘snaked’ its way up the river

By the time I caught it I was too exhausted and annoyed to keep going so I went back

For many people happiness, contentment, satisfaction in life seems like chasing the jet ski

It started off fun

The thing you’re chasing seems to keep evading you, always just out of reach

Then in the end it doesn’t seem like it was worth all the effort

E.g. Latest surveys show that percentage of Australians who consider themselves happy has decreased since 2021[1]

From a survey by Ipsos where Australia is usually among the top nations

[1] Australians are less happy than they were in 2021 | Ipsos accessed 11/01/2024

Happiness in life is one of our great pursuits

“Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”

People pursue ‘work-life balance’

We want our lives to count for something

Nobody wants a joyless life, marriage or family

Sadly, the world is full of joyless lives, unhappy people

Worst part is, too many of those unhappy people are people who should be the most happy – the Redeemed

Some of us deserve the title ‘frozen chosen’

Some of us spend out whole lives pretending to be happy

Bible teaches us that God wants us to be happy – genuinely, truly happy

He teaches us how to be truly happy

Life of godly, deep happiness shows the world the glorious joy of knowing God

Happiness is worship – let’s find out how

Wisdom Makes You Happy

The Pursuit of Happiness

What we think makes us happy

What makes you happy?

Spouse, friends, entertaiment/hobbies (sport & music), possessions

Ipsos study referenced above says health, family & purpose are what make us happy

Those seem like good answers (probably doesn’t reveal whole truth)

What happens when those things let us down?

Health deteriorates, spouse disappoints us or we lose our job

What will make us happy

Interestingly, our text deals with the things we think will bring us happiness

And also the things we don’t say but pursue for happiness

Length of days = health

Riches, honour, pleasure, peace

These are some of the things we think will bring us happiness

Solomon teaches these don’t bring happiness but are a result of happiness

Prov. 3:13 uses ‘happy’ in other places we see the word ‘blessed’

Both speak of same thing

Not just a feeling of joy or temporary high mood

Happy / blessed is a deeper state

It’s to be satisfied, inwardly content

State of joy that comes from being right with God

It’s not just whether you smile or laught

It’s not just a feeling so deep within that it doesn’t reach your face either

Its a satisfaction in my soul that effects the way I act and look (smile)

Wisdom brings happiness

When Solomon asked for wisdom God also gave more (in a unique way to Solomon)

Wisdom never comes alone - wisdom promises happiness

Jesus says it this way:

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The Promises of Wisdom

Precious (Prov. 3:14-16)

Wisdom is of immense value

What wisdom provides no amount of money can buy

Saying: “Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy the things that make us happy”

You can buy or acquire a lot of things to enjoy but they won’t make you happy

Wisdom provides what everyone of us is seeking

Wisdom is better than anything else you can desire

Nothing is more valuable to you than wisdom

Nothing else in all of this world will bring you happiness

Jesus tells of the value of wisdom like this:

Matthew 13:44 NKJV

44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

It is worth selling everything you have to gain

Solomon calls it ‘wisdom’; Jesus calls it ‘the kingdom of heaven’

Remember Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom is about being in a right relationship with God & so is your happiness

Your state of happiness is a direct result of your relationship with God

Your happiness depends on Jesus

Jesus is the way through which peace with God is attained – through which our relationship with creator God is restored

Pleasant (Prov. 3:17)

Her ways are the ways of pleasantness

The way of wisdom is beautiful, delightful, enjoyable, pleasurable

1 of the great pursuits of humanity has been to find happiness in pleasure (hedonism)

Sin tells us that our happiness is found in fulfilling our desires

This is a lie, sin isn’t pleasant, beautiful or satisfying

Sin, desire to please ourselves, only leads to destruction

Proverbs 1:31–32 NKJV

31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Ways of wisdom are pleasant because they are the ways of truth, love, hope, faith

Wisdom is the way of integrity, honesty & goodness

Wisdom is the way of self-control, patience, perseverance

Fear of the Lord, wisdom, leads to true pleasure

Peaceful (Prov. 3:17-18)

Wisdom brings happiness in the pleasures of mind too

That is, her paths are peace

Wisdom empowers us to overcome worry, anxiety, fear

Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Wisdom teaches us who to trust

Wisdom teaches us how to trust

Protects us from discouragement

Fills us with hope

Proverbs 24:13–14 NKJV

13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

Wisdom makes the trouble of life bearable

Wisdom brings happiness by bringing us peace of soul

How To Be Happy

A Picture of a Happy Life

Contentment

Proverbs 28:20 NKJV

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

God supplies the needs of those who do the work

Happiness doesn’t come through the pursuit of riches

1 Timothy 6:9 “9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

Diligence

Proverbs 22:29 NKJV

29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Happiness comes from doing a job well

Pursue to be the best you can

Trust

Proverbs 23:17 NKJV

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

Trust God, don’t listen to bad advice of peers

Don’t desire what they have - not worth it

Honesty

Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

That the truth sets free rightly implies that falsehood and lies ensnare

Humility

Proverbs 3:34 NKJV

34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

Pride always sends us to destruction

Pride robs of happiness while we constantly fight to protect our appearance

Perseverance (Prov. 24:16)

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV

16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Perseverance is a hallmark characteristic of saved people

In temporal things and in our journey to heaven

Wise people persevere and find happiness in it

Perseverance leads us to our great, eternal happiness

Faithfulness

Children

Proverbs 1:8–9 NKJV

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

Parents

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Husbands

Proverbs 18:22 NKJV

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

Wives

Proverbs 14:1 NKJV

1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

The Pathway to a Happy Life

Find Wisdom

Proverbs 3:13 NKJV

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

To find wisdom is to find God

To find wisdom is to believe Jesus

Proverbs 1:23 “23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”

Prov. 3:18 tells us not just to find wisdom but hold fast

It’s about receiving Jesus, turning to follow Him

Not just picking what you like or thinking well of Jesus

Fear God

Proverbs 28:14 NKJV

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Natural outgrowth of finding wisdom

Happiness is found in worship

Not just singing, praise, church, etc.

Worship with your life

Follow Instruction

Proverbs 29:18 NKJV

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Happiness comes through obedience to God

God’s law isn’t binding but freeing

Sets the bounds in which we can find true happiness

Outside of His law is trouble, fear, danger

Holiness leads to happiness

Conclusion

How does wisdom make us happy?

Holding on to wisdom makes our life like a tree of life

Reminds us of Psalm 1:3

Psalm 1:3 NKJV

3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Also reminds us of Jesus’ words

John 15:5 NKJV

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:11 NKJV

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Life lived with Jesus and in pursuit of the ways of Jesus is a life full of genuine happiness

Practical nature of Proverbs is God’s guide to happiness

Are you happy this morning?

If not, it’s for 1 of 2 reasons:

Both are about the fear of the Lord

Firstly, you aren’t saved - there is no happiness, satisfaction or peace without Jesus

Secondly, if you are certain that you are saved, you’re not happy because you’re not following Jesus

What do you need to do this morning to find happiness?

Believe Jesus as Saviour

Repent of your sin, turn from pursuing yourself and empty forms of happiness

Follow Jesus, obey what His Word