DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY NOW

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 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” (Psalm 1:1-3)

We live in a sorry world, and I don’t need to elaborate on that. Miseries abound and difficulties proliferate! How in the world can I say, “Be happy now?” Remember the song Bobby McFerrin wrote in 1988? Some of you do. But you might reply, “Things were much different and better some 35 years ago, and it may have been true for Bobby then, but not for me now.”

Psalm 1 gives us some very interesting insights into this matter of happiness and the blessings of God. If you are honest, you will say, “I sure can use the blessings of God in my life, and lot’s of them!” I too want to be happy!!

At the beginning of the Psalms, this Psalm contrasts the man who stays away from evil and is promised blessings! The Hebrew word “Blessed” (and most of the Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language), is really plural in form, rather than singular. It should read “blessednesses” (if there is such an English word), rather than “blessed!” In other words, more than one blessing! Wow, I’ll take that, for sure! Furthermore, this word can also be translated as “happiness,” or, “happinesses!”

So, one stays far away from associating with moral wickedness, but also invites God’s blessings and happinesses in his life by reflecting on His Word, the Bible. Why in the world do you want God to bless you and give you much happiness, when you refuse to even pick up your Bible and spend time reading and studying it daily?! That’s the only way to be fruitful, productive and enjoy the blessings and happinesses that God provides – – EVEN THROUGH WORRISOME TIMES!