Walk Of Life – Day 14, October 2020 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. Proverbs 14:13
There are many exclusive channels for comedy in all the languages all around the world. Psychiatrists and psychologists insist on being cheerful and happy. Laughing is a therapy given to keep our heart strong. Comedians, get equally or more pay than the lead actors. Like music concerts, shows of stand-up comedians are popping up like rapid fire. With all these there are many divorces, suicides, murders, rapes, thefts and much more to add in the list. If laughing is a therapy and being happy is the solution to all the problems there are many ways man can find to be merry and cheerful.
That’s not true. Being happy, satisfied, cheerful, merry, victory, fame, successful all is just an outer mask. But there is a heart which cries, longs, yearns deep within. Life is not amusing. There is honest saying “life is not a bed of roses but thorns.” Death is inevitable. Sadness is a part of life. There are many successful people who lived well but had a very sad ending.
Consider a fool’s life. Solomon analyzed the best that life on earth can offer, and he summarized it all as vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 1:14). Life is too short; it never meets expectations; it is filled with trouble and sorrow; the soul is not content with any amount of anything; death is sweet compared to the judgment that follows (Ec 12:13-14).
When your heart is sorrowful for conviction, self-examination, or loss, turning to laughter is not the solution, for outward cackling or chuckling does no good for such a soul. In fact, Solomon said that singing songs to a man with a heavy heart is an act of cruelty (Pr 25:20). A convicted or troubled heart should find its comfort in God, not foolish laughter, for such false and pretended mirth will result in even greater sadness and disappointment.
The real joy can be experienced only by accepting Lord Jesus Christ as our personal saviour. Only He can give us confidence at all times. He alone has given an open invitation “All who are weak and with heavy Burden, come I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)”. Bible alone encourages us by telling “Rejoice, in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).”
“Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10).” Who else can tell us “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3)”
Nothing else can give us happiness. There is a beautiful chorus that we have learnt in our school days
“Bags of gold can never buy the happiness you are hunting for.
Happiness is not the money you have, nor the gold, nor the car nor the dress you wear;
Happiness is loving Jesus every day.”
Shall we learn the art of being happy by loving Jesus everyday. The author of “Amazing Grace” also wrote, “Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show; solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion’s children know.” Reader, do you know the truth of his words? Seek the God of heaven this day. Those who have tried both ways of living swear by the righteous life (Ps 73:25-26; Eccl 12:13-14).
