Are You Supremely Blessed?

The word translated for happy in the Old Testament is understood as “blessed”. In the New Testament, the word happy is translated as “supremely blessed”. The happiness that is granted by exposure to the world is temporary and often leads to difficulty and trouble.

Happiness that is experienced in a proper relationship with God brings a blessed life. The Psalmist, David King of Israel, said:

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” (Psa 128:1-2)

When God’s people “walk in His ways” we will be happy.

Many followers of Jesus are not happy. Living in the world of sin and trouble often leads to Christians experiencing disappointment and failure that leads to unhappiness. King David’s advice to God’s people living unhappy lives is for them to “feareth the Lord” and you will “be happy.”

Where Do We Start?

Fearing God is where followers start on the path of happiness:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Pro 9:10)

Happiness in the life of a follower of Jesus must begin with a true understanding of the holiness of God.

When God’s people understand God’s nature, they will have a reverence for Him that will cause a “fear” of falling short of pleasing Him. Fear of God is not a negative for a follower of Jesus. To fear God’s power over our lives will encourage us to take the counsel given by God’s friend King David to walk in ways God establishes for our lives.  

The Apostle Paul gives another way followers of Jesus can be happy or supremely blessed.

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another… Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” (Rom 14:19-22)

When we seek ways to make peace and not war with others in the Lord’s Church, we will find happiness. When we edify or lift up other followers of Jesus as they seek to serve God, then there will be a peace in the fellowship that will bring happiness. When we go to war over our own understanding of God, we will engage in activities that will rob us and other followers of Jesus in living a “supremely blessed” life.

How do you react to suffering?

How God’s people address persecution and suffering also hold power over happiness. God instructs us, “…if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye…” (1 Pe 3:14)

Why would a follower of Jesus be happy if they suffer for God’s righteousness? Peter answers this question in the following chapter:

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (1 Pe 4:14)

When God’s people understand who God is and fear His righteousness, they will seek to follow after the things that will bring peace with the family of God. When we edify one another in the Lord, we will be at peace with our brothers and sisters in the Lord and will be happy or “supremely blessed” in the Lord’s Church.

When God’s people walk in the world’s domain of evil and suffer persecution, we can be happy. When we understand the nature of this persecution and we suffer persecution at the hands of evil people who are God-haters, we are able to be blessed. When we experience the reproach of godless people, God is glorified and we are happy or “supremely blessed”.

Be happy! Enjoy the blessing of God on your life. Live for Jesus, fear God and live a life that will glorify God as you walk in the darkness of this evil and sinful world.