All
the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a
continual feast. (NASB)
The black heart,
like that of the evil queen in Snow White, is as far removed from cheerful as
it can be. Afflicted with selfishness and envy she covets the beauty of Snow
White, making her own life miserable. Her days are bad. When Snow White goes to
live in the forest her cheerful heart makes everyone around her also cheerful. Well
maybe not the dwarf Grumpy, but the animals and the other six dwarfs are
certainly happy. That is what makes the story so enduring—happiness. Living
happily ever after.
A merry heart doeth good
like a medicine, from Proverbs 17:22 (KJV). Cheerful, merry, happy, joyful. This is a
person who is beyond content. He is truly blessed, happy. A content person describes
his situation in Philippians 4:11, “Not
that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am.” Ecclesiastics 9:7 tells us, “Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a
cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works”. (NASB) From these
scriptures it seems like a person with a truly cheerful heart has it made.
They’ll have a continual feast—never wanting anything and what they’ve done,
their “good works”, God has already approved. To have God’s approval on your activities
is a great milestone. Note that I said “milestone”, not “millstone”. A
milestone is an important or significant event, whereas a millstone is a great
burden or responsibility. Having God’s praise or endorsement for something that
you’ve done is wonderful—so is a continual feast. Continual, not just
occasional. Can you imagine having a continual feast? That would mean never
being hungry—never having any unmet desire for food or drinks.
What about a continual spiritual feast? Would
that mean that there would be no doubt or questions concerning spiritual
issues? Every spiritual question you have would be answered, understandable,
comprehendible. That is what it will be like in heaven. All our questions will be answered. I’m not
sure where that comes from—but many people have told me that over the years.
Spiritually happy, joyful, joy filled. The fruit
of the Holy Spirit includes joy, as well as love, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:20-21). Feast on this fruit constantly. But what do
we need to do to be filled with the Holy Spirit you may ask? Just that, ask and
you will receive. We have to confess our sins to enter into salvation, and we
just need to ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We aren’t promised that
life will be perfect, just that we will have the perfect savior, Jesus, to
guide and direct us—to love and encourage us—to never leave us or forsake us. For
what more could we ask?
Lord, please continue to
guide and direct us and fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we would have
cheerful hearts and experience Your continual feast.
©
2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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