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13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
How close is the sympathy between the body and soul, though framed of such opposite elements! A man's countenance is the index of his spirit. In the sensation of joy ‘the heart sits smiling in the face, and looks merrily out of the windows of the eyes.’† Yet too often this high exhilaration, this countenance lighted up, is a matter of sadness rather than of pleasurable contemplation; as connected with a happiness, that estranges the heart from God. Who has a true right to a merry heart, but he that is walking in the joy of Divine acceptance? (Psalm 32:1, 2, 11.) This spring of joy lighted up Hannah's sorrowful countenance into godly cheerfulness. (1 Samuel 1:18.) Stephen stood before his judge, with his heavenly prospects beaming in his “angel face.” (Acts 6:15; 7:55.) Everywhere does the hearty reception of the gospel “give beauty for ashes,” sunshine for gloom. (Isaiah 61:3.)
Sad, indeed, is the contrast of a heart broken by worldly sorrow. (1 Samuel 28:16. 2 Corinthians 7:10.) Too often does a mischievous gloom worm itself into the vitals of the child of God. (Chapter 18:14.) The melancholy victim drags on a weary, heavy-laden existence, clouding a distinct feature of his character (Philippians 3:3), and one of the most attractive ornaments of his profession. (Psalm 33:1. Philippians 4:4.) His hands slacken; his whole energies are paralyzed for the work of God; and he sinks into desponding apathy and indolence, as if he had taken leave of life and the sun. (Chapter 17:22.)
Every effort should be made to sweep away this black hovering cloud. Let sense and feeling be kept within their bounds; and the Savior's voice, encouraging confidence, will be practically regarded. (Isaiah 50:10.) Even our very “sighing and crying for the abominations of the land” (Ezekiel 9:4) must not issue in heartless complaints, but rather stimulate to the diligent improvement of present opportunities. Did we realize, as we ought, our present privilege, and grasp our eternal prospects; no sorrow of the heart would break our spirit. ‘I wonder many times’ — says Rutherford — ‘that ever a child of God should have a sad heart, considering what his Lord is preparing for him.’ The gleam of the present sunshine is the earnest of what it will be, when — as he again beautifully observes — ‘we shall be on the sunny side of the Brae.’† Meanwhile the first step in religion is, not only beginning to be serious, but to be happy. To maintain our Christian balance, even “godly sorrow” must be disciplined; lest it break the heart which it was intended only to humble; lest it give advantage to the enemy, and bring hindrance to the Church. (2 Corinthians 2:7.)
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