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

Psalms 144:15, KJV

I love this passage. It is written by King David and inspired by the Lord. In this same chapter of Psalms David talks about all that the Lord has done for those who follow Him, including how He rescues us from our enemies and even helps our sons and daughters grow. He then points out that these blessings of God should prevent us from complaining because we are so content. And he begins the whole discussion by asking the question "what is man that Thou takest knowledge of him?"

I have to admit that I like this passage even more because I am a resident of a town called Happy. I recognize the fact that this is a small thing indeed in comparison to God's great blessings towards us, but when added to these blessings it just serves as a reminder to me that we ought to be happy and we ought not to complain.

One of the things I truly appreciate about our service to God is that His way actually makes us Happy. His commandments concerning our interactions with others will make their lives happier as well, if they will let it. Commands such as don't lie, don't steal, don't covet, don't commit adultery, and love your neighbor as yourself, all serve to make us good citizens and excellent friends. In short, they make us into the very type of person that other people like being around. It's makes us happy and much less likely to complain when people treat us with such love and kindness. 

When you consider the idol worship of the Old Testament times you see something completely different. You see the people who worship these made up "gods" doing all sorts of things to please them, from sexually immoral behavior to human sacrifice, and all of these things tend to make people very unhappy indeed.

But those who serve God have happy commands with happy outcomes. It was true during the old law of Moses (and before) and it is even more true under the Christian era. When you think about it, it is no wonder that David asked in seeming wonder just who men were that they could be so blessed as to have God take notice of them. God's ways have always led to happiness and praise, whereas the ways of those who reject Him always seem to lead to terrible unhappiness and lots and lots of complaining.

We are indeed a blessed people and that ought to make us happy. And it also should make us very hesitant to complain, but very quick to offer thanksgiving to the One who brings these great blessings. Are you happy?