Have you heard of any good medicines?
Some recent advertisements have touted treatments that are supposed to be good for you. But after you hear the long list of bad side effects, you begin to wonder if the cure is worse than the condition! So it is with many medicines.
But there is a medicine, a healing balm, described in the Scriptures. And the best part is that it has no dangerous side-effects. What is it?
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
In this proverb, the joyful heart is presented in contrast with a broken or depressed spirit. It’s clear that the state of your heart affects your physical well-being.
In these days, we are being bombarded by devastating news and opinions from all over the world [i]. Each new article or segment is clamoring for your attention. But if you are not careful, the news can depress and break your spirit. And the resulting state of mind has a negative physical side-effect on you.
This proverb describes the medicinal benefit of a merry heart. As one author wrote, “Proverbs shows an uncanny sensitivity to the working of the human heart and in particular to how one’s emotions affect one’s mental, spiritual, and even bodily existence.” [ii]
A merry heart is like a healing balm. One translator put it this way: “The happy heart brings about a good cure.” [iii]. Proverbs 15:15 says that having a joyful heart is like having a continual feast. Are you in need of a good cure? Would you enjoy a good feast right now?
How can you have a merry heart and help others do the same?
Seek the Lord
Psalm 105:3 says, “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.” Seek the Lord in His Word. Pursue Him in prayer. Follow after Him for some sweet fellowship. John wrote, “These things do we write unto you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4). Jesus said that answered prayer will fill you with joy (John 16:24). His joy will overflow in your life (John 17:13). Most especially, we rejoice in God because of our reconciliation through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11).
Share the Wealth
Proverbs 12:25 puts it this way: “Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.” All of us are carrying a heavy load right now. Many have burdens that are almost unbearable. A heavy, depressed heart can hurt your physical well-being. But a good word from the Scriptures can change that. And, you can share the wealth! In your opportunities to fellowship, share the wealth of the Word of God. You never know whose heavy heart you may be helping.
So, have you heard of any good medicines without those horrible side effects? Yes! A merry heart is like a good medicine. Let’s all follow this prescription.
Why not turn off the news and turn to the good news of God right now?
– Gordon Dickson
[i] It’s important to remember that the primary reason that most news organizations exist is to make a profit. They do not exist to tell the truth, primarily. And even non-profit news organizations must seek funding. So these news organizations must generate viewers, listeners or readers. And to do that, they will frequently start with inflammatory headlines. These are designed to cause a reaction, or at least pique your intense interest. When they succeed, these news organizations can charge more for advertising. They can cite their popular following when next they appear before a governmental funding committee. So if you are feeling manipulated by “news stories,” there’s a reason or that. Remember that someone’s paycheck is dependent on your subscribing or tuning in.
[ii] Tremper Longman III, Proverbs, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic p. 568
[iii] R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, eds., Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 152–153.