“The cheerful heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15, NIV).
Joy is strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and joy is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Now we read that a joyful, cheerful heart is like enjoying a continual feast. It sure sounds like joy is a prescription for good health.
I think the picture here is when the heart is overflowing with joy, everything in life is a cause for celebration—like having a great feast.
Often in Scripture, the picture of a feast is a picture of celebration. In the passage in Nehemiah we studied before where Nehemiah talked about joy being strength, he also told the people to “go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. Then all the people went away to eat and drink” (Nehemiah 8:10, 12). David wrote in his well-loved psalm, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Jesus compared the call of salvation in Him to being invited to a great banquet (Matthew 22:1–14).
The picture of such celebration means the ability to look at a rainy day and a sunny day and find the celebration in both. It’s taking the difficult times and being willing to continually inwardly smile at what God is doing, the feast He is preparing.
A continual feast means there’s always a party going on in the heart. It’s knowing that at the end of a tough time, a celebration is brewing—anticipating it almost as if it is already there.
A continual feast—always overflowing with good things and living life with not just a glass half full attitude but with an attitude overflowing with joy.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I admit that I need joy today. I feel a little overwhelmed. Give me a sense of Your perspective. As I walk through what I am facing today, give me the ability to look forward to the coming celebration! Help me overflow with joy. Help me overflow with You!
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