On a recent forty-five-minute drive, I listened to a talk radio conversation on the pursuit of happiness. The personalities bounced around questions such as, “What is happiness? How does one find it? Once found, how is it kept or maintained? Can happiness be found in this life?” A couple of “Happiness Experts” jumped in with their two cents.
Some years back, sociologist Christian Smith coined “moralistic therapeutic deism” to describe the beliefs of Christian young people. Their beliefs were the result of the church eclipsing historic Christian teaching with be good, feel good, and if you need God, he’s a phone call away. The goal of the diluted “Christian” life was to be good enough to get to heaven with God on speed dial. Along the way, do feel good about yourself.
A drone ride over the topography of the Scriptures shows the mountain peaks of human happiness with the biblical word “blessed”. Yes, happiness can be found, kept, and enjoyed. It is a concept rooted in God, who is the fount of blessing (Mark 14:61). Our triune God enjoys loading his people with blessings. Blessedness is found in God himself, in right relationship with God, when we live wise, biblical lives, and when eternity’s forever blessings rest in our hearts.
God made the world and everything in it and called it good, inserting humanity into it and blessing them as the crown of creation (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 8). God blessed the Sabbath day for rest and worship (Genesis 2; Exodus 20). His blessing was put on Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Mary, and many others.
Blessing is found in worship (Psalm 84), wisdom (Proverbs 1), Scriptures (Psalms 1, 119), forgiveness (Psalm 32), Jesus (Psalm 2, Ephesians 1), justice and righteousness towards neighbor (Psalm 106), obedience (Luke 11, John 13, Revelation 22), persecution (Matthew 5, 1 Peter 4), and in heaven (Matthew 25).
One of the oldest church practices is the minister giving God’s benediction (good word) at the end of worship. God told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons, the priests, to bless the church! “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6)
God showers happiness or blessings on his church throughout the Scriptures (Psalm 121; Romans 15; 1 Thessalonians 3; Jude 24-25 and many more!). God is a blessing God and the reason is so that we may be a blessing to others. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” (Psalm 67)
God gives us earthly and spiritual blessings in this life to enjoy, as well as to furnish us for kingdom living (Matthew 6:11, Ephesians 1). When God blesses us, his nature and love desire to gift to his children. Our happiness in God serves as a witness to his goodness in this fallen, cursed world (Philippians 2).
The English pastor William Perkins (16th century) called theology (the study of God) “the science of living blessedly forever.” True happiness is not found in things, achievements, human flourishing, and other self-centered metrics. These can be chased, caught, and lost. They do not follow us into Glory. Blessedness is found in God alone and his gifts through Jesus Christ. Whether you live or die (Revelation 14:13), these blessings remain yours forever!