But He Who is of a Merry Heart Has a Continual Feast Kjv
I was reading my Bible last night when I came across Proverbs 15:15. I love how the Amplified (AMP) version words this verse,
"All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances]."
I have read this verse multiple times before, but never in the AMP version. The part that stuck out to me was, "regardless of the circumstances." Wow! To paraphrase, the days of the afflicted are bad…but someone with a glad heart will have a continual feast REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
The Oxford Languages Dictionary describes the word 'feast' as, "a large meal, typically one in celebration of something." Feasts usually occur to celebrate something. They are not your average meals, they are more elaborate and lots of work goes into preparing feasts. With that being said, one does not typically go and prepare a feast during the days of affliction. Most people do not have a feast when they are experiencing affliction and hardship. But the Bible says a glad heart will have a continual feast, despite the circumstances they are experiencing.
Proverbs 15:15 describes two different reactions to affliction. Now if we're being honest, we are all guilty of throwing pity parties and sulking in our affliction and tribulation. We have all been there. (Side note: And I should clarify that I am in no way trying to be insensitive to anyone's circumstances. This is just what I felt the Lord reveal to me.) In contrast, there are those who choose to have a glad heart (or 'merry heart' as the KJV words it). Instead of letting the affliction overtake them and determine their attitude, they have a continual feast.
Now the Oxford Languages Dictionary describes the word 'continual' as, "frequently recurring; always happening." The glad heart does not cease to celebrate. Their response is not determined by their present circumstances. Regardless of the circumstances, they continue their feast.
I just wanted to ask, how are we responding to affliction? Are we unable to rule our spirits like Proverbs 16:32 describes? Are we in need of temperance? Or are we keeping a merry heart with a continual feast regardless of the circumstances? I know we can all relate to experiencing affliction. It is not an easy thing to deal with. Many times affliction comes unexpectedly. Maybe the affliction we are experiencing is a sickness or disease. Maybe the affliction comes from within our families and was brought about by a family member or loved one. Whatever the cause of our affliction, I believe the Lord wants us to trust in Him and to be content in all things.
Paul said in Philippians 4: 11-13,
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
The Lord truly is our strength, we cannot go through life solely by our own strength. After feeling the Lord put this thought on my heart, I read Proverbs 17:17,
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Maybe while reading this, a friend or family member comes to mind. I know I can think of a couple of people. I would encourage us all to be a strength to one another. We truly do not know all of what our brothers and sisters are going through behind closed doors.
Or perhaps you are the one experiencing affliction. Maybe a merry heart sounds impossible right now and you cannot even fathom a spiritual feast. While my friend, to that I would share Proverbs 17:22,
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Or as the AMP puts it…
"A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones."
Lord help us to have a merry heart with a continual feast regardless of our circumstances. Thank you all for reading, I hope this thought blesses you like it did me. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! God bless 😀
Source: https://alovefortruth.com/2022/03/18/a-merry-heart/
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