Today’s Message: Having A Joyful Heart

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”(Proverbs 17:22)

A certain man came back from India on a failed medical trip and awaited death. When his pastor who came to visit heard the details of his situation, he broke down and wept uncontrollably.

Then, his sick member turned to him and said, “Dear pastor, you are embarrassing me. You taught me about heaven; do you no longer believe it exists?” The pastor quickly wiped his eyes and tried to look cheerful.

A merry heart is beyond the physical. It is something the Lord does in the heart of man. One who never got it on the day of salvation should revisit it. It is beyond human understanding.

Many who do not have it say abominable things while undergoing affliction. But they that do know their God are strong and do exploits.

Often, there are some of us who show off spirituality by remaining gloomy like ones whom the world has collapsed upon. Such often forget who they are and act like people of the world who think that someone must be responsible for their predicament. A child of God ought to live differently.

One good aspect of scripture is the ability to address exact situations which people are undergoing. When it says that something is good, it is indeed good and one doesn’t need to look at it any other way.

There is really no reason whatsoever to wear a frowned face or a heavy heart. There is also no reason to complain or speak things too wonderful for one’s mouth even in the time of anguish.

This ought to be the difference between a born again child of God and an unbeliever. In the time of difficulty, an unbeliever wallows in anguish, speaking nonsense and cursing the day he was born, angry with God and everybody around him.

But a child of God hides his pain in God. He is merry because he understands God’s will and intention for his life, the meaning of salvation and the hope of glory.

The word of God is prescribed medicine with power to cure and prevent all diseases, forestall the power of the enemy and keep the inward parts ignited for God.

A group of university professors studied the behaviour of goats which a farmer was breeding and noticed that when a cheerful person walked in the goats ran after him. When the same person came back in an angry and hostile mood the goats reared backwards. A merry, happy and joyful countenance attracts even lower animals. It is definitely not attractive to grieve and look angry.

Prayers:

1.Pray that the joy of the Lord will fill your heart always.

2.Pray to always recall the word of God whenever the devil tries to steal your joy.

Confession:

Dear Lord, I dwell on your word always. My heart will always rejoice in you

Further Study:

Proverbs 18:14:

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Proverbs 15:13:

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Nehemiah 8:10:

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Proverbs 15:15:

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

Source: Introspect