Happiness of Saints in This Life

• Is in God.

  Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

• Only found in the ways of wisdom.

  Proverbs 3:17-18 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

• Described by Christ in the beatitudes.

  Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ...

• IS DERIVED FROM
• Fear of God.

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

• Trust in God.

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

  Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

• The words of Christ.

  John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

• Obedience to God.

  Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

  John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

• Salvation.

  Deuteronomy 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

  Isaiah 12:2-3 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

• Hope in the Lord.

  Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

• Hope of glory.

  Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

• God being their Lord.

  Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

• God being their help.

  Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

• Praising God.

  Psalm 135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

• Their mutual love.

  Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

• Divine chastening.

  Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

  James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

• Suffering for Christ.

  2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

  1 Peter 4:13-14 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 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.

• Having mercy on the poor.

  Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

• Finding wisdom.

  Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

• Is abundant and satisfying.

  Psalm 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

  Psalm 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: