A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, and joy is the great restorer and healer, according to King Solomon's wise saying.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the healing power of joy in his sermon 'A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine.' He cites King Solomon's wisdom, asserting that a merry heart acts as a restorative medicine for both body and spirit. Simpson encourages listeners to rejoice in the Lord regardless of their circumstances, as joy can counteract worry and fear, which are detrimental to health. He reminds us that God commands us to be glad, promising that He will empower us to follow this command. Ultimately, the joy of the Lord serves as our strength and healing balm.
Text
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. Are you ill? 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-all are poisonous! 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.
This 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 fullness, our fountain of healing, His joy, our elixir for body and brain.
Sermon Outline
- The Prescription for a Sick Heart
- The Power of Joy
- The Command to Rejoice
- God commands us to be glad and rejoice
- We must rejoice in the Lord always
Key Quotes
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” — A.B. Simpson
“Joy is the great restorer and healer.” — A.B. Simpson
“The joy of the Lord is the strength of our body.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Choose to rejoice in the Lord, no matter how difficult your circumstances may be.
- Recognize that joy is a powerful tool for healing and restoration in your life.
- Apply the command to rejoice in your life by choosing to trust in God's goodness and provision.