We all desire happiness. We want a life filled with fun. We dream of the good life.

So we spend time seeking happiness in different areas. Some find happiness in healthy food and fitness. Others turn to money as the foundation for a fulfilling life.

Others find happiness in their work. Or perhaps we believe technology and gadgets satisfy us. Many find happiness in family and friends.

And while all of these aspects of life prove important, they sometimes fail us. Friends can betray us. Technology can break. Work places can lay us off. Money can dissipate from our accounts. Even our bodies can get sick and fail us.

So how should we respond when these sources of happiness shrivel up? What should we do when our loved one disappears? Our marriage ends? Our finances are ruined? Our body rebels?

If we base our happiness upon these areas, we will always be disappointed. They will always fail us or distract us from receiving true meaning. Why? Because happiness bases itself upon external conditions, which we cannot control. We can plan our finances but we cannot guarantee our financial security.

Since happiness is based on external circumstances which can fail, then it makes sense that ultimate meaning in life can only be built on a foundation that cannot fail. And since the only thing infallible is God, He must be our only hope for a truly fulfilling life.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. (Romans 5:10, 11 NET)

He is our salvation from sin. He is our joy. He is the only source of true meaning in life.

Scripture and/or notes quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://bible.org All rights reserved.