THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
PROVERBS 16:20 NKJV
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
If there is one phrase in Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Independence that we have latched onto in America, it would be the phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And particularly the pursuit of happiness.
In the last 20 years, there has been a huge emphasis in the world on obtaining happiness. The problem with that emphasis is the more we pursue being happy, the more elusive happiness becomes.
Happiness is not a worthwhile pursuit in itself. Happiness is a byproduct of other things. Serving others, having a purpose in life, and pursuing worthy goals. All these can lead to an increase in being happy. And Solomon, the wisest man outside of Jesus, shows us another way.
He who heeds the word wisely will find good. Most translations read, handling a situation with wisdom will lead to good. And that makes perfect sense. When things are handled well, they turn out well.
Then the next part of the proverb says that the one who trusts in the Lord is happy. We use the phrase trust in the Lord so casually that we can run the risk of losing the importance of what trusting Him means.
Trusting in the Lord means we are trusting in the One who is bigger and greater than anyone we know or anyone who has ever existed. We are trusting in the One who made the heavens and the earth. Trusting in the One who loves us and gave Himself for us. Trusting in the One who has our best interests in mind.
The word for happy in this proverb does not have some hidden meaning. This word means a state of bliss. This is pretty much what people are pursuing, but this proverb reveals a different path.
Other proverbs speak of happiness being related to finding and keeping God's wisdom. So if we are trusting in the Lord, we are trusting in His word and ways. If we are walking in His word and ways, we will handle things wisely. If we handle things wisely, we will find good. And finding good can certainly help to make us happy.
I firmly believe that God wants His children to be happy children. He just wants us to pursue happiness His way.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I do trust You and trust that Your word and Your ways are the highest and best that I can pursue. Thank You for what You have shown me in Your word. Teach me even more so I may trust more and walk in more wisdom. Thank You for laying out the best path to happiness.