Proverbs 16:20 He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

      How elusive is the concept of happiness that lingers just outside our grasp? The idea of happiness we create in our minds can be so unattainable. How often have we heard someone say or even heard ourselves say, “If I could just have that, then I would be happy.” The word of God indicates that true happiness comes when God is involved with our choices and directions we take in life. Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. 
      In another place it says. Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. It seems that happiness is not something we chase but rather something we possess within ourselves because God is filling us with His presence and therefore happiness comes forth out of our being. Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
      The Apostle Paul writes in Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. A few meanings of the word content is happy, at ease, fulfilled and gratified. As contentment is an acquired skill or learned as Paul expressed, so is happiness an attribute that is learned and applied to our everyday lives. We choose to have a happy heart as we grow in the favor of our God. 
      Waiting for happiness to fall on us like rain is a mug’s game. The enemy of our soul will have us running and spending all our time and resources chasing things that will bring a temporary and watered-down version of happiness. However, within a short time after the things have been bought, charged and sometimes purloined, the novelty, shine and sparkle fade away like a dying flower. 
      If we look around the world, we can easily see that the devil has become effective at that part of his pathetic job. Satan tries to get people to focus on what they don’t have so that they are continually in a state of unhappiness and discontentment. We need to cut the strings of that puppet scam-artist and link our hearts to the God of our salvation who is pure joy, peace and happiness. Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
      My favorite happy verse is Rom. 4:7 Happy they whose lawless acts were forgiven, and whose sins were covered. Yes, this is true happiness. Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven, happy is that man. Well, I am that happy man. The joy, peace, and happiness that comes from a clean and clear conscience cannot be bought, purchased or charged on a credit card. It can only be realized by a heart-transforming relationship with grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
      Wow! How good is that? The mighty God who created us has made happiness a part of our inheritance when we are in a relationship with Him. No wonder the devil is hard at work in trying to distort happiness. God’s form of happiness and contentment will bring peace and calm to our souls and we will be able to walk in the power and authority of God’s kingdom.
      If we are going to strive, then let it be for a relationship with our God who will be to us a pure contentment. If we are going to want, then let us want the fullness of the finished work of the cross in our hearts. If we are going to covet, then let us covet the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may be the children of our God. 1 Cor. 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. If we are moved to loving something to the point of saying, “I just have to have that.” then let it be the love of God within our hearts that can change the joy, peace and happiness of the whole world. Aah! Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven, happy is that man. Amen and amen!