Proverbs 17:22, Spiritual Radiance

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November 20, Proverbs 17:22

Luke 2:10-20; John 15:11 “Jesus wants your joy to be full.”

Spiritual Radiance

2. OUTER HARMONY: A Merry heart, true Joy, comes from hearts that have been born-again, hearts that are controlled by the Holy Spirit. This medicine heals, bringing inner harmony. It also touches the lives that we contact daily. Are not miserable Christians, like Job’s comforters, a sad contradiction, and just as useless? How about you? Do people take note of the transformation in your life, and ask the reason for the hope that is within you (1 Pet. 3:15)? Is Christ’s Joy the strength and the happiness of your life?

a. The Healthy Spirit! A broken spirit drieth the bones. What a challenge to be charged with the opportunity and responsibility of spreading Christ’s joy and healing in our sick, jaded world! What is the message of the Incarnation but, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord (Lk. 2:10-11). Can any Christian worthy of that Name be satisfied with anything less than a merry heart? Yet, how often this is not in evidence among us! In former times some, erroneously, we think, made so much of solemnity that the sad face became the highest mark of spirituality. Yet, just as there is no spiritual merit in a weakened or emaciated frame, so there is no spiritual merit in a joyless testimony. No spirit can be blessedly broken until broken by the Word of God. David’s spirit was wounded. Read his sad confession in Psalm 32. His bones waxed old. He suffered spiritual drought. His merry heart was gone, and in its place had come a broken spirit and dried up bones. When confession came, his joy returned, his bones were healed, but more, he could “fly” again (Ps. 103:5). When his inward harmony was restored, his outward harmony and testimony returned as well.

b. The Happy Spirit! Nothing does more harm to Christianity than miserable Christians! On the other hand, is not a merry heart the source of happiness in our families, our churches, and for all those who associate with us?

i. A Christian’s merry heart should be conspicuous! Rejoice in the Lord, alway: and again I say Rejoice (Phil. 4:4). This is the charge to every Christian. Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men that they may see (Mt. 5:16). This is joy that cannot be hid.

ii. A Christian’s merry heart should be continuous! Rejoice-always, in season and out of season, when circumstances permit, but especially when they do not (Jas. 1:12)!

iii. A Christian’s merry heart should be contagious! Rejoice in the Lord. Paul and Silas, with bleeding backs, sang in prison, and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25). They had something to sing about, and so has every believer (Ps. 103). “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants” (Ps. 35:27).

Thought: “Sow holiness and reap happiness” (George Swinnock).

Prayer: Lord, teach me both how to reverence Thee and to rejoice in Thee.