11 May | EVERYONE
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1: 1,2
A handwritten note by Albert Einstein explaining how to achieve happiness was auctioned in October 2017 in Jerusalem for $1.56 million. The price was about 200 times higher than previous estimates, which ranged from $5,000 to $8,000 as indicated on the Winner auction house’s website. The exorbitant price was undoubtedly because the note was written by the hand of a famous person known for his intelligence, but also because it spoke of the secret of happiness.
Human beings are moved to desire happiness. There is in the deep part of soul the desperate longing to be happy. In today's verse, the psalmist describes the secret for happiness. Best of all, you do not need to pay anything to make it your own.
"Blessed," or happy, says David, " is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly." For the psalmist, the key to a happy life is to constantly reflect on God's law. When we remember that God's law is a transcript of His character (see Romans 13:10; 1 John 4:8), we realize that it is a matter of deepening our knowledge of God. The law, in the Psalms, is the teachings, instructions, statutes, warnings, and ways that God shows human beings to follow and reap the ripe fruit of happiness.
Parallel to the path of happiness is the path of sinners who devise ways to circumvent God's instructions. They are people incapable of understanding that divine counsel is not prohibitions but rather warnings. It is one thing to say, "The abyss is before you, I forbid you to go there," and quite another to warn, "If you go that way, you are in danger of falling into the abyss."
It costs nothing to follow God's counsel and be happy.
Take Action
The enemy wants you to see God's counsels and precepts as boring restrictions that deny your freedom, but that is a deceptive and superficial view. Look at the law in a positive light, and you will discover in it the traits of God's character centered on His infinite love. Sing “His Delight Is in the Law” (if possible, with your family).