“The hope of the righteous will be gladness” (Proverb 10:28)
Who are righteous?
Righteous are true people. Our Lord, God is a true Lord and thus is righteous. Regards, it is written in the Holy Bible as “O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!” (Ezra 9:15)
The Apostle Saint Paul also uttered saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
We understand from the teaching of the apostle, the truth about righteous who make their way with God, within their religion and by their good deed. There are found to be truthful in all their deeds. When we come back to our topic, the words, “The hope of the righteous will be gladness” is to say the happiness of Christians is not earthly but is bestowed by the faith in God. (Proverb 10:28) It is sated as, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) It is the happiness in knowing the true liberty within love. It is said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
What is Happiness?
Happiness is the wage we are given by much pain endured for Christ. The Holy Bible affirms as “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:13)
Righteous found happiness by keeping the rule of God that made them live here on their earthly life and will make them live in the heavens. As it is said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)
We can divide the happiness of righteous into two:-
- Earthly Happiness: – it is the joy we get on earth and it is temporary.
- Heavenly/eternal/ Happiness:- It is the happiness we are bestowed after reaching the end of the world by righteousness and endowed an eternal life in the heavenly kingdom.
The Holy Bible affirmed this stating, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:21) Entering to eternal happiness is through righteousness by carrying the cross in patient. “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
In general, the righteous are bestowed the second happiness who are said, “The hope of the righteous will be gladness.” (Proverb 10:28) We shall also follow their example for we will be included with them. Moreover, we shall do much righteous work in these 50 days feasts, in entering the heavenly kingdom. Then, our work will triumph just like righteous and saints. The Bible says, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
Our Holy Mother Saint Mary is the one who embraced earthly as well as heavenly happiness. She said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. “ (Luke 1:46-47) This is Holy Mother’s happiness from God; it is inseparable and eternal.
On another section of the Bible, the Lord said to the 72 disciples who were rejoicing about casting out demons, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20) The right happiness is up in the heavens with whom their names are written in records.
The Heart of God Prophet David told us about true happiness saying, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:2) And as it is said, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms,” we will be able to live with God and be bestowed eternal happiness. (James 5:13)
The happiness in this world fluctuates. Falling, rising, sorrow and happiness are occurrences. One who gets money gets happy; when he losses get sad. Situations in our living vary; It becomes morning and gets darkened at night. There is no permanent thing on earth. Yet, happiness from God subsists for eternity!
May it be God’s will to endow us eternal happiness; Amen!