“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Prov. xvii. 22).
King Solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad
hearts, and it is one that we can safely take. “A merry heart doeth good
like a medicine.” Joy is the great restorer and healer. Gladness of spirit
will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other
tonics fail, and all other sedatives cease to quiet. Sick one, begin to
rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your
cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear,
distrust, care, are all poison drops; joy is balm and healing; and if you
will but rejoice, God will give power. He has commanded you to be glad and
rejoice; and He never fails to sustain His children in keeping His
commandments. Rejoice in the Lord always, He says; which means no matter
how sad, how tempted, how sick, how suffering you are, rejoice in the Lord
just where you are, and begin this moment.
The joy of the Lord is the strength of our body,
The gladness of Jesus, the balm for our pain,
His life and His fulness, our fountain of healing,
His joy, our elixir for body and brain.