Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Explodes Into Smiles
What brings sorrow of the heart? The worst culprit is unrepentant sin. I think about the scoffer we just read about in the previous verse; Proverbs 15:12. He does not like reproof. I expect that could be the very thing that crushes the spirit of this one in verse 13. Being told we are wrong does not always set well with us. And yet Proverbs 12:1 talks about one who loves discipline. It says: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,…”

Look… discipline is not joyous while it is in progress… I am the oldest of 4 children and I believe I received more whippings than any of my siblings… I never looked forward to that! What child likes to be spanked? However… proper discipline can have a good return on character for a child willing to be instructed…

Hebrews 12:11 says: All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous, but grievous: yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.

However, when we are disciplined but keep rationalizing our actions instead of agreeing with our Father in heaven… our relationship with God does not change but our fellowship with him changes from joy to defiance… Our countenance falls and we are out of sync with the Lord. We are not abiding in his word and his word is not abiding in us… We think we know what is best for us but believe me… The promise of Sin is just one big scam!

But… when we accept rebuke and listened to counsel and turn to Christ for his tender mercies, our countenance explodes into smiles and our heart to singing all because of Jesus.

Consider the words of David in Psalms 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Ver todos los episodios