Proverbs 17:22: A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Insight
When the heart is filled with joy, the whole being is refreshed thereby. The merriment of the Christian is far more real than the mere frivolity of the worldling. He is able in all circumstances to rejoice in the Lord, and thus be lifted above what would depress and weigh down the soul. Then, in place of manifesting his happiness in the empty ways of the world, he can sing and make melody in his heart unto the source and object of his gladness. “Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). The man of the world has to resort to various expedients to relieve his uneasiness and rouse his spirits. Hence his eager participation in all kinds of diversions; the object of which is to enable him, for the time being, to forget. On the contrary, it is when the child of God remembers his place and portion in Christ that his joy overflows. 1
Application
David expresses where his joy comes from in Psalm 116:1–2 “I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.”
Perhaps you have a broken spirit right now. Maybe it has been awhile since you had a merry heart. Perhaps you have left the place of prayer. The Lord has always loved to hear your prayers. Will you express you love for Him? Will you ask Him for help today?
Motivation
“When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.” Psalm 32:3
When your merry heart disappears, your hope in Him has vanished. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please overwhelm my soul with the assurance of Your love.
1. Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs (p. 220). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.
