Holy Happiness - Part 3

What makes you happy?  As a Christian, what should make you happy?

This is lesson three in a study entitled: Holy Happiness!  In his lesson I want to begin giving you some Biblical examples of some who experienced Holy Happiness.  Let’s see how they received and lived with Holy Happiness.

Our first example is Israel.  The descendants of Abraham have come out of Egypt; have been established as a nation; and have wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  They are on the verge of entering the Promised Land.  Their leader, Moses, will die soon and be replaced by Joshua.

Knowing this, in Deuteronomy 33, Moses gives a final blessing to the tribes of Israel. He concludes this section with some important statements about their blessedness/happiness that they have received from God.  He reminds them of why they can be happy; two reasons.

First reason why they can be happy is because they have experienced…

I.       God’s Protection

“There is none like the God of Jeshurun (reference to Israel), who rides the heavens to your aid on the clouds in His majesty.” (Deuteronomy 33:26)

According to this verse, the Israelites can by happy because the God of Creation – the God over Creation: “who rides the heavens…on the clouds of His majesty” – comes to Israel…“to your aid…”  He comes to help them.

Zachariah later wrote: “The Lord of Hosts will defend them” (Zachariah 9:15a).  So many times the psalm writers share the same truth: God is Israel’s defender…“my shield.”

The first aspect of God’s protection that Moses gives his people is that God defends you.

“The God of old is [your] dwelling place…” (vs. 27a)

In this phrase Moses tells the people they can be happy because God is their “dwelling place.”  What does this mean?

What is a “dwelling place?”  Does that phrase mean anything to you?

You know what it means to me?  HOME!

Moses second aspect of God’s Protection is a reminder that the “God of old,” the God from before the ancient times and to today – He is our home!  God’s Protection means He defends us and He receives us home!

“…and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (vs. 27b)

What does this phrase mean?  To me, I think of foundation.  Moses says God supports us, as part of His protection.  Just another reason why the Israelites could be happy.

“He drives out the enemy before you, and commands ‘Destroy!’” (vs. 27c)

Why should the Israelites be happy (according to this phrase)?  Because God “drives out the enemy before you!”  The God who defends you, receives you and supports you, also advances you!  He destroys the enemy that’s where?  In front of you: “before you.”  So you are free to move forward…to advance.

The first phrase of the next verse sums up this section:

“So Israel dwells securely…” (vs. 28a)

Since God’s Protection defends, receives, supports and advances His people, what do they have to worry about?  Answer: Nothing!  They can “dwell securely.”

What are some synonyms for “dwell securely?”  What does that phrase mean to you?

Let me ask you this:  As a child of God, does He defend you?  Receive you?  Support you?  And advance you?  Then, what do you have to worry about?

Answer?  Same as for the Israelites: Nothing!

We too, dwell securely under God’s Protection.  Because of that, we can consider ourselves blessed and receive true and lasting Holy Happiness.

But this is just the first reason Moses gave the people for why they could be happy.  There is a second…

II.    God’s Provision

Look at the remainder of verse 28.

“Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine; even his skies drip with dew.” (vs. 28b)

untroubled – Other old manuscripts read: “Jacob’s fountain is alone.”  What does this mean?

Jacob lived in a broad, fertile place – a place that was watered by a fountain.  This area was without enemies or threats.  In this sense then, he was alone.  So, Jacob (a reference to Israel) had been provided by God a fertile, watered, safe, secure place in which to dwell!

In other words, as God protects He also provides.

In this case, He provides an “untroubled” existence in what kind of place?  Look at verse 28.

…a land/place of abundance: “land of grain and new wine”

…a land/place of growth: “skies drip with dew”; there is rain, moisture; this is not a dry, arid land but a fertile land.  And in fertile places, there is growth!

Therefore…

“How happy you are, Israel!” (vs. 29a)

Because of God’s Protection and Provision, Israel, you can be happy!  In fact, you are unique; there are none like you.  And you are a people special to God; He saved you!

Answer this question: What did the people have to do to receive and enjoy God’s Protection & Provision?

Three things Moses tells them.

(1)               TRUST.  Trust that He is the “shield that protects you.” (vs. 29b)

(2)               TELL.  If you “boast” in Him (vs. 29c), then you are sharing great things about God.  The Israelites were chosen to tell the world about Him.

(3)               TREAD.  As for your enemies Israel, “you will tread on their backs” (vs. 29d).  But you will only do this if you are willing to trust and walk where and when God directs.

Let’s put this passage all together: We (like the Israelites) can receive and constantly live in Holy Happiness when we remember that we have…

God’s Protection – He defends us, receives us, supports us and advances us; and,

God’s Provision – He leads us through a life of abundance and growth.

As a result, we must trust Him, tell others about Him, and tread where and when He directs.

Holy Happiness…possible with God’s protection and provision, and our faithful obedience.