—- he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.—Prov. 15:15
Have you ever enjoyed a meal so much that you wished you never got full and that you could just keep on eating? In other words, you wanted the feeling to last forever–you wanted to experience endless enjoyment. Most of us would have to plead guilty.
Here Solomon speaks of something that causes life to be “a continual feast”. That something is “a merry heart”— described as a good “medicine” in Proverbs 17:22. Is that not what Paul had in mind when he spoke of being “content” regardless of circumstances in Phil. 4:11-13 ? Just imagine enjoying life 24/7. Sounds great, but for many it seems out of reach, beyond the realm of possibility. They have tried and failed, and have given up on the idea. They feel doomed to gloom, destined to despair. Others are more determined. They keep hunting for happiness, but the only time they are happy is when their lustful appetite is being fed. Few there be who are delighted when their desires are denied or delayed.
But, instead of relying on our feelings or what others tell us, let us find hope for happiness in the truth of God’s Word–He can’t lie. Were it not possible to have a merry heart that makes life “a continual feast” God would not have written these things. Let that be your assurance of hope. The fact that you’re not there yet doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. Just seeing the possibility of this becoming a reality in your life should inspire you to keep hoping for happiness. God can make it happen, and He will make it happen if you meet His conditions. Seek to do His will and happiness is sure to follow. Christians can be contented and cheerful regardless of circumstances. For them life can be a “continual feast”. Pleasing Christ is the key to finding perpetual pleasure.
