"HAPPY IS THE MAN..." Psalm 1 I. Introduction. A. The world is confused on true happiness. B. The world misunderstands what brings true happiness. C. The ancients lived and learned what it meant to be "happy." D. Solomon, David, and others experienced the world and all reached the same conclusion: happiness does not come from following the ways of sin. E. God wants men to be happy: brings his favor. F. God does not want men out of his favor: brings unhappiness. G. There is a marked contrast between those who are happy through Jehovah and those who are not. H. Read Psalm 1: note-"Blessed" means "happy." II. Body. A. Choosing wise company contributes to being happy: v. 1. 1. Will avoid walking in the counsel of wicked. a. Lot not thrown with the wicked. b. Avoids participation in their projects and/or designs. c. Note the warning: Proverbs 4:14-15. d. Proper walk: Proverbs 13:20. e. One cannot long walk with those who have no fear of God without weakening faith. 2. Does not take time to stand in way of sinners. a. No part taken in their actions. b. Avoids following same immoral paths. c. As people indulge in open sin without remorse--deepens trouble in our society. (1 Have we forgotten? Ephesians 5:12. (2 Is there no shame? II Thess. 3:14. 3. Refusing to sit in the seat of scoffers. a. Does not fellowship(share) as they "scoff" at righteousness. (1 "Too good" for us? (2 "Goody two shoes," etc. b. A proper question: Proverbs 1:22. c. This is a wise son: Proverbs 13:1. d. Avoiding this, and previous, helps separation to be complete. e. Note the progressive nature of unhappiness. 4. Be not deceived, company influences people. a. Paul so stated: I Corinthians 15:33. b. Remember: Micah 6:8. c. Paul warned: II Corinthians 6:17-18. d. You can tell the character of a person by the type of company sought and enjoyed! B. The happy person is conscious of the law of God at all times: verse 2. 1. The law is his "delight." a. Later in Psalms 119:16. b. Paul's joy: Romans 7:22. c. There are volumes of books with facts and information: Only the Bible guides men through life! d. While several songs express delight in the grand old book--do we take the message to heart? 2. Time is taken to "meditate" on it. a. "Dwells in him": Colossians 3:16. b. An appropriate prayer: Psalm 119:10-11. c. Filling the heart with God's word leaves no room for evil. d. How many, in our day, think of great truths of Bible? e. The standard for Christians: II Timothy 2:15. 3. The meditation is "day and night." a. This brings constant respect: John 8:31-32. b. "By day" the law of God is used as a direction post to point the way. c. "By night" the law of God is used as a pillow upon which to rest one's head. d. This companion is different from the ones in verse 1. e. Some accept word when suits purpose--reject at other times. f. The truly righteous person is happy with the word of God even when it rebukes him! 4. It is not possible to be "happy"(righteous) without the word of God. a. It is everlasting: I John 2:17. b. Can turn even sinners: Romans 1:16. c. Will guide the saved in life: I Cor. 4:6. C. The "happy" person receives needs from God: verse 3. 1. Knows the source of satisfying those needs(like a tree planted by the water). a. Note: planted-James 1:18. b. Roots run deep in righteousness. c. Proper source for food/nourishment. d. Paul stated: Colossians 2:7(w/v. 6). e. Lives with shallow roots are easily taken away by storms. 2. Blessings from God leads to being productive for the Lord. a. A productive plant is appreciated: ever tried to make one productive when soil, moisture, and other elements worked against you? b. Some said: "Good deeds are fruitful deeds." c. This is the fruit: Galatians 5:22-23. d. Thus: II Peter 1:8(note previous verses). e. Continuing in truth makes one everbearing! f. The confidence of disciples: Galatians 6:9. 3. "Leaf does not wither" because of care of God. a. Adversities/storms may come: if faithful: weather all. b. Joseph; Job. c. Paul could state: II Timothy 4:7-8. 4. The righteous man is happy because he prospers in his efforts. a. Jesus so stated: Matthew 6:33. b. God does take care of the faithful! c. Growth will be a natural(spiritual) result. d. Hence: I John 1:7. D. The "unhappy"(wicked) person cannot face God: vs. 4-5. 1. They are like the chaff(different from v. 3). a. Lack of stability; lack of roots, leaves, stems, etc. b. And no one to turn to for "help." c. "Chaff" is weak and worthless! d. "Destitute of spiritual life." e. The pleasures of sin--last for a season-- are soon gone: Hebrews 11:25. f. A separation is coming: Matthew 25:32. 2. The "unhappy"(wicked) person cannot stand in judgment. a. Even the people of old knew: Eccles. 12:14. b. Paul declared: II Corinthians 5:10. c. Such cannot hold heads up to God because of failure(unhappiness). d. Their fate: Matthew 7:23. 3. The "unhappy"(sinners) will not be among the "happy"(righteous). a. Physically present in this life--but spiritually separated(may stand next to them in a line--but not "with" them). b. Any mingling now will be erased when God judges hearts. 4. The "unhappy"(wicked) will have no excuses. a. A law exists now for them: Romans 1:16. b. A way is open now for them: Matthew 11:28-30. c. A warning has been given: Acts 3:19. d. Even ignorance will not excuse: Acts 17:30. E. Jehovah knows the way of the "happy"(righteous): vs. 6. 1. Spiritually prosperous: Psalm 112:1. 2. God knows whom he approves: acknowledges them. 3. Divine approval comes only to the one who seeks: John 8:32. 4. The challenge: John 13:17. 5. God knows whether we follow his word or not. 6. We know his word by "meditating" on it. 7. God is specific about whom he approves: a. The obedient: Hebrews 5:9. b. The faithful: Revelation 2:10. F. God knows the way of the "unhappy"(wicked): vs. 6. 1. Perishing is the fate of the wicked: should make one unhappy to hear. 2. Ways of wicked leads to destruction: Mt. 7:13-14. 3. Two paths: two destinations: two types(happy and unhappy): II Thessalonians 1:7-9. III. Conclusion. A. Life is the time to prepare: death seals fate. B. Do you love life(long to be happy)? I Peter 3:10-12. C. Think of the rich man and Lazarus. D. Always remember: Who will be happy at judgment? Romans 14:10-12.-jy