PSALM 32:1-2 – Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

THEME OF THE DAY. WHERE REAL HAPPINESS LIES. Ask any person the question, “Do you want to be happy in life?” And no one is going to respond like this, “No. I don’t think so. I want a miserable life full of sorrow, pain, and disappointments. No, I am all set.” But then ask the second question, “Where is happiness found in life?” and the answers will be all over the place. I need not list them. Just look in our world and see all the ways people search to find happiness. Even look into our own lives and do the same. And when it comes to the search, all of them will end up dead end roads unless it takes us to the two truths in today’s scripture. We would do ourselves, our children, and anyone else we care enough about to direct them to read King Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes. It will prevent a lot of wasted time, energy, and money as this wise man reveals to us nothing in this world will give us true and lasting happiness. No, nothing under the sun will do it. The only way to know true and lasting happiness is found in what the Psalmist experiences in today’s scripture.

First, true happiness is found in knowing our sins are forgiven – “Blessed (happy) is the one whose transgression is forgiven.” Friends, the most important issue in all of life is to be reconciled to God through the forgiveness of our offenses against Him. There is nothing of greater urgency and need if we want true happiness now and forever. Happiness is being able to say, like David, “Happy am I because my transgressions are forgiven.” And when it comes to death, this will be all that will have mattered in life – are we forgiven and prepared to meet our God? Praise God for He gave us His Son, the Lord Jesus, so we may know forgiveness and look to seeing God face-to-face with joy and confidence.

Next, true happiness is found knowing we are forever in a right standing and position with God – “Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Here is the importance of a church and Christian knowing and standing on sound Biblical theology. The most thrilling doctrine to the Christian is that of justification by faith. It is that declaration by God that we are right with Him, forever righteous, because of His Son’s righteousness imputed to us (Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Friends, don’t compromise doctrine; don’t downplay theology. A Christianity, even a church, that places emphasis on application and doing before establishing our identity in Christ and teaching the attributes of God is only promoting morality with a Christian ethic attached. Biblical Christianity is rooted in Biblical doctrine and theology focusing far more on who God is and what He has done through His Son than us being “good” Christians living out a “good” Christian life.

Want a happy life? God wants that for us. It is found in knowing the forgiveness of sin and our standing with God is right.

PRAYER: “Father, I so praise You for giving me the basis for true happiness; forgiveness of my sins and Your Son’s righteousness.”

QUOTE: “True happiness is found in being reconciled to our Creator not in the vain pursuits of an unsatisfying world”