A Continual Feast

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." (Proverbs 15: 13)

"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." (Proverbs 15: 15)

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Proverbs 17: 22)

These three verses speak of a "merry heart." There is a natural merriment of heart that God has been gracious to make available to all men, even to those who despise him and his goodness. Carnal men are often heard to say to themselves - "...take thine ease, eat, drink, and BE MERRY." (Luke 12: 19) Yet, this carnal merriment is no lasting joy.

The merry-heartedness of disciples of Christ is spiritual and holy, and one that is superlatively greater than any earthly or carnal joy and pleasure. It is a fire of joy in the heart that cannot be fully extinquished. Praise the Lord! Confessed the "sweet Psalmist of Israel" - "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." (Psalm 4: 7)

When carnal men prosper financially, when their "corn and wine increase," they are very elated and happy, and they celebrate! How many sinners enjoy pay day so they can experience a time of merriment! Yet, such times of merriment and "feasting," is nothing compared to the "continual feast" that believers in Jesus have daily and hourly. They regularly enjoy the "communion of the Holy Spirit." (II Corinthians 13: 14)

Christians "feast on Christ."

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." (John 6: 54-56)

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (I Corinthians 5: 7,8)

Christ is the bread and drink of Christians, their "soul food." They rely upon him more than they rely upon natural bread and drink. Their spiritual life is sustained by this feasting upon the Lord, upon the truth about his redemptive work, upon his person and work, for in this manner, we "eat his flesh" and "drink his blood." When Christians carry out the "Lord's Supper" (or "Eucharist"), they are seeing in symbol the whole gospel message. As they meditate upon those symbols and see the message conveyed by them, they are then enjoying internally that "continual feast." Even when Christians meet in regular worship service, without partaking of the Lord's Supper, in the ritual, they are, nevertheless, feasting literally when they are enrapt in thoughts about God and Christ and are filled with praise to the Lord. Such times of spiritual feasting are truly full of "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Peter 1: 8). Such meeting times are appropriately called - "feasts of charity." (Jude 1: 12; II Peter 2: 13)

"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding." (Proverbs 9: 1-6 NIV)

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3: 20)

Friend, are you starving and parched in your soul? Has the life of sin satisfied your spirit? Do you not long for that inner joy and peace, that you see in others? Then listen to the Lord calling you. Open the door of your heart. Invite him in. You will enjoy a rich banquet in your famished soul. No longer will you confess, as the Prodigal, "I perish with hunger."