Proverbs 15:12-15 – A Cheerful Heart
Verse 12 – It’s so hard to love a truth-telling friend. When they criticise something we have done, our pride is stung, and our first impulse is to be defensive. But just as we need correction from God, we need truth from our friends. They are often the means God has provided to hold us accountable to doing what is right. Do not be like the fool, but swallow your pride, and go to the wise for help, no matter how much it hurts.
Verse 13 – There’s a close connection between how we feel and the expression on our face. The Gospel should make us happy, the knowledge that sins are forgiven should bring us joy. But often sorrow breaks our spirit. We become so sad and depressed that our energy is paralysed for the work of God, and we sink deeper and deeper into gloom. We need to make every effort to be joyful, to not let our feelings rule over us, and to set our minds on God’s love for us and the hope of Heaven.
Verse 14 – It is one of the amazing facts about the Christian life, that the more we know about God, the more we want to know. The more we read His Word, the more we will want to read. The more we come to Him in prayer, the more we will want to pray. If you want to hunger and thirst after God, begin by reading His Word and praying, regularly and faithfully. As you grow, your desire to grow will increase.
Verse 15 – The cheerful heart has a continuous feast, because he has joy in the Lord. All is a blessing to him, hardship and riches equally bring him joy. But how often are we determined to be miserable, and nothing makes us happy.
Questions
- Why do we need others to hold us accountable?
- How can we make sure that sorrow doesn’t overwhelm us?
- How can we get the desire to know more about God?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the blessings we have in Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.