February 8, 2024 A CONTINUAL FEAST
Proverbs 15:15-17 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
It is amazing how the word of God can drive a major point home in just a few words. I think most of us would be quick to say ‘amen’ to the verses above. The nature of man is to acquire more, thinking that more is always better. There is nothing innately wrong with material possessions, but if we think material possessions are what satisfies our deepest longings, we are mistaken. Another important good point in this verse is that ‘he who has a merry heart has a continual feast.’ The question is, how does one have a ‘merry heart.’ Some say that one is born with a merry heart-and that may be true to some extent. It may sound like the idea of a merry heart in this troubled world is a pipe dream-something unattainable. However, a merry heart can be a reality for all who know the Lord. A major truth we must understand is that a merry heart is not tied to circumstances. And having a merry heart does not imply that one will be free of trials and difficulties. I certainly cannot give three easy steps to having a merry heart; but there are some things that go hand-in-hand with a merry heart. One characteristic of a merry heart is that of being grateful and being aware of the blessings one has. Another is knowing in the deepest part of your being that God loves you, that He cares for you personally and that He is your provider. Also, learning the secret of being content with what you have is ever so important. (That does not mean it is wrong to want to improve, etc.) A merry heart is able to see what is good. Blessing others and serving others goes a long way in making the heart merry. The most powerful truths that should cause the heart to be merry is that we have been transferred to the kingdom of God; Jesus is our Savior; all of our sins are forgiven; God has given us a future and a hope; and we we have the Holy Spirit living in us to guide us, help us, empower us, and comfort us. We may complicate life and make it difficult by the choices we make, but the life that God calls us to live is not burdensome or complicated. We will have trials in life, but in Christ, we have been made overcomers in life. So, no matter our circumstances, we can have a continual feast because we have a merry heart. Perhaps we need to take ‘our foot off the gas,’ let go of what we need to let go, and enjoy the life that God offers us.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Blessings, Buddy
Proverbs 15:15-17 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
It is amazing how the word of God can drive a major point home in just a few words. I think most of us would be quick to say ‘amen’ to the verses above. The nature of man is to acquire more, thinking that more is always better. There is nothing innately wrong with material possessions, but if we think material possessions are what satisfies our deepest longings, we are mistaken. Another important good point in this verse is that ‘he who has a merry heart has a continual feast.’ The question is, how does one have a ‘merry heart.’ Some say that one is born with a merry heart-and that may be true to some extent. It may sound like the idea of a merry heart in this troubled world is a pipe dream-something unattainable. However, a merry heart can be a reality for all who know the Lord. A major truth we must understand is that a merry heart is not tied to circumstances. And having a merry heart does not imply that one will be free of trials and difficulties. I certainly cannot give three easy steps to having a merry heart; but there are some things that go hand-in-hand with a merry heart. One characteristic of a merry heart is that of being grateful and being aware of the blessings one has. Another is knowing in the deepest part of your being that God loves you, that He cares for you personally and that He is your provider. Also, learning the secret of being content with what you have is ever so important. (That does not mean it is wrong to want to improve, etc.) A merry heart is able to see what is good. Blessing others and serving others goes a long way in making the heart merry. The most powerful truths that should cause the heart to be merry is that we have been transferred to the kingdom of God; Jesus is our Savior; all of our sins are forgiven; God has given us a future and a hope; and we we have the Holy Spirit living in us to guide us, help us, empower us, and comfort us. We may complicate life and make it difficult by the choices we make, but the life that God calls us to live is not burdensome or complicated. We will have trials in life, but in Christ, we have been made overcomers in life. So, no matter our circumstances, we can have a continual feast because we have a merry heart. Perhaps we need to take ‘our foot off the gas,’ let go of what we need to let go, and enjoy the life that God offers us.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Blessings, Buddy
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