Happiness Is Yours for the Taking

Did you know that “Happy” is one of God’s names? In Psalm 43:4, the original Hebrew El Simchah Giyl means “God Exceeding Joy.” God created us in His own image, so it follows that He intends for us to be happy too.

 

Creation is brimming with happiness in praise to its Creator.

The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.—Psalm 65:13

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.—Psalm 96:11–12

Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains!—Isaiah 49:13

 

The deepest happiness comes from being personally connected with God.

In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:11

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.—Psalm 40:16

Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!—Psalm 144:15

“These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”—John 15:11

 

Faith in God’s goodness engenders happiness.

Happy is he … whose hope is in the Lord his God.—Psalm 146:5

Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.—1 Peter 1:8

 

Even in hard times, God can give us joy.

[God’s] favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.—Psalm 30:5

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord.—Habakkuk 3:17–18

 

We can always be happy for salvation.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation.—Isaiah 61:10