CHAPTER THIRTEEN: WHY LIVING A GODLY LIFE BRINGS HAPPINESS

JEHOVAH is "the happy God," and he wants you to enjoy life. (1 Timothy 1:11) By walking in his way, you can benefit yourself and experience tranquility that is deep and lasting, like an ever-flowing river.   Walking in God's way also moves one to perform continuous acts of righteousness, "like the waves of the sea."  This brings true happiness. - Isaiah 48:17, 18. 

Some may object, 'People sometimes suffer for doing what is right.'  True, and that is what happened to Jesus' apostles. Although persecuted, however,  they rejoiced and went on "declaring the good new about the Christ."  (Acts 5:40-42)  We can learn important lessons from this.  One is that our living a godly life does not guaranteed that we will always be treated well.   "In fact," wrote the apostle Paul,  "all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)  The reason for this is that Satan  and his world are opposed  to those living in a godly way.  (John 15:18, 19; 1 Peter 5:8)  But genuine happiness is not dependent on external things. Rather, it comes from a conviction that we are doing what is right and therefore have God's smile of approval. -Matthew 5:10-12; James 1;2, 3; 1 Peter 4:13, 14. 

There are people who feel that they can earn God's favor through occasional acts of devotion but can forget about him at other times.  True worship of Jehovah God is not like that. It affects a person's conduct throughout all his waking hours, from day to day, year after year. That is why it is also called "The Way."  (Acts 19:9; Isaiah 30:2) It is a godly way of living that calls upon us to speak and act in harmony with God's Word. 

When new students of the Bible see that they need to make some changes in order to please Jehovah, they may wonder,  'Is godly life really worth living?' You can be sure that it is. Why? Because "God is love," and his ways are therefore meant to benefit us.  ( 1 John 4:8) God is also wise and knows what is best for us. Since Jehovah God is  almighty, he is able to strengthen us to fulfill our desire to please him by breaking a bad habit.  (Philippians 4:13)  Let us consider some principles involved in godly living and see how applying them brings happiness.  

Next time: WHY LIVING A GODLY LIFE BRINGS HAPPINESS/HONESTY RESULT IN HAPPINESS

 From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life