“In Your presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11 NKJ).
This verse is a continuation of yesterday’s lesson in which we considered David’s record of his enjoyment and satisfaction with his allotted inheritance. Now in this passage he indicates the source of happiness. Note that it is not a product of:
1) Environmental location: Happiness does not depend upon physical surroundings. I have met some people who are capable of being happy no matter where they are. They take their happiness with them wherever they go.
If they were to be transported to the North Pole, and left there all alone with no one around for a thousand miles in any direction, they could still be happy. On the other hand, there are those who cannot be happy no matter where they are.
2) Wealth and riches: Neither is happiness found in material possessions. I know people who are quite happy without wealth. I also know people who are fabulously rich, and totally miserable.
Happiness is a state of being which has nothing to do with age, education, location, accumulation, possessions, honors, titles, pedigrees, gender, height, color, or religious affiliation.
David tells us the source of all true happiness – the presence of God.
The Hebrew word translated presence here is paniym (paw-neem’). It is derived from the word paneh (paw-neh’) referring to the face. Being in the presence of God is the same as basking in the smile of His acceptance and approval. If you and I could see the face of our Lord smiling at us, we would be very happy indeed – regardless of our location or circumstance.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers