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. THE FOUNDATIONS FOR TRUE HAPPINESS. Every person yearns for and pursues happiness. Nothing wrong with either. And it is God’s desire that we would know true happiness. The problem with us is our attempt to find it in all the wrong places. Whether it be in romance, family, vocational or educational achievements, material things, exciting vacations, weekend getaways, shopping sprees, and a host of social events and activities, all of these do provide measures of happiness but all of them have a common trait – they end. All of these and anything else in the world have a “shelf life” when it comes to providing happiness. And God made it that way on purpose. He doesn’t want us to seek lasting happiness in what He gives us in this world. He knows we will forget the “Giver” and concentrate on the gifts from the Giver.

Now all I mentioned in the above paragraph are great blessings from the Lord to be enjoyed, but they are not to be our basis for happiness. If so, we are committing the sin of idolatry. But God has provided ways of happiness better than what we find in this fleeting life. They are two things in today’s scripture far more lasting, far more satisfying, and are God’s foundations for not only a life of happiness, but an eternity of eternal bliss.

First the happiness of having one’s sins forgiven and not a one held against us by the Lord – ever. David writes, “Blessed (happy, satisfied, fulfilled) is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity.” Friends, the number one reason for our unhappiness in life is not what has happened to us; how people treat us; our circumstances in life; or anything else outside of us. Our unhappiness is found in what is in us and its result. Sin in us is the cause of all unhappiness that has led to our separation from the source of our happiness – relationship with our God. And one foundation for true happiness is to have our greatest need met by God – forgiveness of sin.

The other foundation for our lasting happiness in today’s scripture is the latter part – Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit; a life lived before the Lord with sincerity and transparency. Think about it. The most liberating, freeing, and even happiest condition, a person may know is a life lived before God with a clear conscience. This was one of the Apostle Paul’s chief pursuits and instructions for Timothy – The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5). I am not sure anything is more satisfying than, like Peter, to look heavenward to Jesus, and say, “You know everything; You know that I love You” (John 21:17). That is a sure and lasting foundation for true happiness.

So, in the quest for what God desires for us – happiness – let’s strive to ensure it is based on the sure foundations of being forgiven all sin, and living sincerely, honestly, with a clear conscience before our all-knowing God.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for opening my eyes to see where true happiness is found.”

QUOTE: “Two things make for a life of sustained joy and contentment; forgiveness of sin and a life of spiritual sincerity.”