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.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Here is a test of proving myself.

Genesis 4:15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Ezekiel 9:4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Revelations 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Is there a connection between these three scriptures as to the mark and meaningful revelation?

The effort that is to be put forth in answering this question needs to pass the smell test of 2 Timothy 3 stated above. In this I should begin with a series of questions about what I see in scripture.

Who profits? What proof is to be found? What thoughts need correction? Does it lead to righteousness?

That sounds like a lot to consider over a simple search of the scriptures. Hidden within those questions is a testing of self. Number one on that list is who profits. More often than not an honest search of our motivations in asking that question will reveal much. Is God to be glorified or me?

That answer alone will stop the search of many frivolous questions.

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

We need that self-test to know the difference.