Proverbs
15:13-15 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by
sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding
seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the
afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
The medical profession has
long realized that happy people are the healthiest of people. But how does
someone achieve that state of happiness or joy? The child of God knows that it
comes from living close to Jesus. And beyond that, joy experienced should also
be joy expressed in one’s life.
This should be true in our
individual lives as well as when we gather in our churches for worship. True
worship must have the ingredient of festivity and joyfulness. The Psalms insist
that we “burst into jubilant song with music” (Psalm 98) and that we praise our
God and Savior with trumpet, lute, harp, tambourine, and loud crashing cymbals.(Psalm
150)
Too often believers give the
impression that the Christian worship experience is a cheerless journey of
harsh self-discipline that must be painfully endured. Only then will the
heavenly rewards be finally realized. But, little joy or praise is evident in
such an approach to worship or Christian living.
When we find our worship and
personal life filled with joy and songs, it will be easier for our lives to
encourage others to know this same happiness. Smile, Christian, smile! You have
much to be joyful for.