Malachi 3:14-15 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

We call them happy, but are they happy? We look to the success of those who would do anything to gain wealth, fame and legacy. They have chased happy their whole lives, but are they truly happy? It says right here in Malachi, we call them happy. But what is happiness?

I would venture a guess that if you took random poll and examined the results you would find high on the list pleasures. Are pleasures happiness? Even the text in Malachi where we call the proud happy, isn’t that a description of self-pleasure? They are very pleased with themselves, their accomplishments, reputation, status, wealth, perhaps even their legacy. But are not all those things temporary by nature? How can the fleeting bring happiness, knowing it will not last.

Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

So what makes for happiness?

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

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

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

John 13:16  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

So happiness is found in believing, obeying and trusting in the Lord. Precisely put, in a deep personal relationship with your creator.