Merriness and sorrow
Merriness and sorrow
(Verses 13 and 15 in Chapter 25 of Proverbs are clubbed together).
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13).
In this world, where we have to spend most of our days in sorrow, we should learn to depend on God for everything. We become sad whenever we choose to walk in our own ways but not in the ways ordained of God. God wants us to be cheerful and to be happy in this world. A parent would like to see his child always happy and not sad. If we have to have a merry heart, we should walk in the ways of God and God would guide us in His ways as we seek His face.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15).
Why should we be afflicted all the days of our life? It is not God's will that we should spend our days in affliction. God has not ordained days of evil but days of good. But we make these days evil. God does not make our days evil. Whenever we face affliction, we should examine our life to see whether such affliction comes from God to teach us some lesson. If you contract any disease to afflict your body, resist it by prayers. Take medicines by faith as it is God who ordains healing through medicines. Any virus in the air is caused by the devil who comes to steal and kill. In the Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan has introduced a character called Mr. Skill, a physician who prescribed medicines for the ailing son of Christiana.
God wants us to have a merry heart always. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phi.4:4). Possession of a merry heart gives you a continual feast of joy in your life.