The Source of Happiness
Scripture Reading — Psalm 16:1-11
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
God created us to enjoy the greatest of happiness: communion with him. We experience true happiness by loving God and enjoying intimacy with him. In the presence of God there is fullness of joy.
The best gifts in life come from God. But some people prefer to look elsewhere. Many seek happiness in money; others, in fame. People also seek happiness in pleasures, or they follow their dreams of success, hoping to find fulfillment in their lives. But in the end they discover that those things offer only a mirage and not true happiness.
Happiness is a legitimate desire. Many people look for it eagerly every day of their lives, but they end up empty-handed.
The source of happiness is not in things or in our own selfish pursuits, but in God. The best things of this world cannot make us happy, but God can, because he created us, calls us by name, and makes us his own. We become truly happy only when we know God and love him with all our heart and soul.
If we do not have a safe guide, it is easy to take the wrong pathways in life. And whom can we trust but God to faithfully show us the way?
Dear God, may nothing replace the joy we have in being in your presence. Help us always to find satisfaction in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Hernandes became the Portuguese ministry leader for Today's sister Portuguese ministry in 2010. He also serves as the director of the organization Luz Para o Caminho (Light for the Way), an organization formed in partnership between ReFrame and the Presbyterian
Church of Brazil. Hernandes has authored more than 160 books and is a popular and respected conference speaker in Brazil. Hernandes graduated from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Brazil and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in
Jackson, MS.
Hernandes and his wife, Tinha, have two adult children.
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