If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

— Psalm 119:92

Happiness is not just about avoiding the way of wickedness and folly. And it’s not about staying away from people. The life of the monk or the hermit is not the ideal of the Christian faith, as some early Christians believed. Christianity is distinguished by a lifestyle in tune with the will of God.

How can we know what God’s will is for our lives? Psalm 1:1-2 answers, “Blessed is the one . . . whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

The Word of God is our source of joy and happiness. We are encouraged to meditate on it daily. We must fill our minds with God's truth. We must feed our hearts with the promises that come from the Word of God. His Word is better than refined gold and sweeter than honey. God’s Word restores the soul and gives wisdom to the simple.

In this time when so much garbage circulates on the internet and other media, the Word is bread that nourishes and water that purifies. Through it we keep our hearts pure, and we triumph over the enemy.

Today and every day, remember to feed on God’s Word and to enjoy the nourishment that sustains us, heart and soul, on the way to full life.

Lord and God, guide us in the way of wisdom and life through daily meditation on your Word. Thank you for the joy that comes from being in communion with you. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.