“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”
True happiness is found in turning away from our sin by knowing and delighting in God through the means of His Word.
1. Happy Christians are turning away from sin (v. 1).
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night his hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”
“I acknowledged my sin to [the Lord], and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
“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…Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”—
Psalm 32
2. Happy Christians are seeking to delight in God through His Word (v. 2).
“The reason we come away so cold from reading the word is because we do not warm ourselves at the fires of meditation.”—Thomas Watson
“The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.” —George Mueller
Application:
• When you study the Bible, pray to God.
• When you study the Bible, try reading less and meditating more.
• When you study the Bible, keep a pen in your hand.
• When you study the Bible, memorize passages.
• When you study the Bible, talk about what you are learning with others.
3. Happy Christians become like trees (v. 3-4).