Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1)
Does God want us to be happy? Some of us might not be too sure. Perhaps we have been told that happiness is only temporary, a condition of this present age, and therefore fleeting. Or maybe we’ve been taught that we should focus on holiness, not happiness. This is done in such a way as to make the two appear to be polar opposites. We can be holy or we can be happy but you can’t be both.
But is that truly what the Scriptures teach? There is a definite call to holiness (Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:16). Yet, there are numerous verses that speak about God’s desire to bless people, to make them happy. His great plan of redemption is defined in these terms (Genesis 12:1-3). Even in the opening pages of the Bible, we see this as we are told that God blessed our first parents, Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28).
The Children’s Catechism makes the connection between holiness and happiness explicit. In Question 21, it asks, In what condition did God make Adam and Eve? The answer? He made them holy and happy. Did you catch that? Holy and happy. They are not in competition with each other; they are beautiful complements, glad partners.
Holiness leads to happiness. Why? Because it aligns us with God’s will and ways. It helps us to “go straight”, an underlying meaning of the word translated ‘blessed’ in Psalm 1. The reason we go awry in pursuing holiness (and thus happiness) is because we want to be the ones to define happiness. Therefore, we resist God’s commands and teachings when they don’t match our self-constructed plan of the good life. It is our sin that introduces the tension between holiness and happiness, all to our own detriment.
Interestingly, the opening words to the Psalms are not “Hallelujah!” or “Hear our prayer” as one might expect of a collection of songs and prayers of worship. Instead, it starts with this holiness/happiness combination. There is a certain sense to this because true worship will only flow from hearts that are seeking to live in accord with God’s will and for their joy. We will not worship rightly if we impose our own agendas. Psalm 1 clearly indicates that if you want to be blessed/be happy, then you must submit to a certain way of life. A life defined both by what we avoid and where we find our delight.
Bobby McFerrin had a smash hit, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Saints, perhaps we should change the words slightly. Instead, may our lives be defined by the refrain, “Be Holy, Be Happy.” Let us not separate what God connected but let us embrace both, for His glory and our good.
