Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:6
“I just want to be happy.” We hear people say this all the time. In 1977 the rock band Kansas released their song “Dust in the Wind.” A song of yearning and despondency, these philosophical lyrics became an anthem in its time. Drawing from Genesis 3:19, this was Kerry Livgren’s expression of the immortality of life and the inevitability of death. “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea, all we do, crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see; dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind.”
In 1988, Bobby McFerrin released the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It became the first acappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for two weeks. We find the following lyrics in the song, “In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry, you make it double.” It was in Luke 12:25 that Jesus reminded us, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
It is now 2016 and people certainly have not stopped worrying, writing melancholy lyrics or being frustrated by the elusive pursuit of happiness. Society (including Christians) continue chasing the wind in search of happiness. Can happiness truly be found? In Psalm 1 the Psalmist begins by telling us where happiness is not found. “Blessed (happy) is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers.” Notice the progression? We start out innocent enough and walk alongside the wicked. Over time we kind of stand and linger in the shadow of the sin. Finally, we sit down in the company of the scoffer. We have now become comfortable in the company of wickedness, and we hardly even notice. We do not find happiness because unrighteous living separates us from God; and separation from God results in an empty, hollow existence.
Happiness is a result of submission and obedience to God. Sinking our roots down deep by His streams of Living water produces a fruitful yield, leaves that do not wither and God’s prosperity(v.3). Happiness comes to those who “delight is in the law of the Lord, and meditate on his law day and night.” A heart that delights in God and whose habits are dictated by God’s Word will find true happiness. Happiness comes when you trust in God.
Prayer
Father, help me to delight in Your Word. Keep my eyes on You and redirect my path when I start to walk, stand or sit in the way of unrighteousness. I know that You watch over me and in Your Word will I mediate both day and night. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.