Cheerfulness

WHAT is said of the heavy-hearted, and the effect of cheering words upon such?

"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad."

Proverbs 12:25

2. What is the influence of cheerfulness upon the sad and despondent?

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

3. What did Job exclaim when well-meaning friends came to him in a time of sore trouble, with words of reproach?

"I have heard many such things : miserable comforters are ye all."

Job 16:2

4. What did he say would have been the case had their circumstances been reversed?

"I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you: but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."

Job 16:4, 5

5. Are not those who have suffered and been comforted of God (2 Corinthians 1:4), best able to comfort others?

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them, which are in any trouble by the comfort where-with we ourselves are comforted of God."

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

6. What beautiful promise is written for the upright in heart?

"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart."

Psalms 97:11

7. What should be the language of the heart that has experienced help from God?

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness."

Psalms 30:11

8. What should be the spirit of our service toward God?

"Serve the Lord with gladness come before his presence with singing."

Psalms 100:2

9. Mention a special cause for good cheer.

"Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." (Matthew 9:2), last part.

"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:7)

10. For what does the psalmist say he will greatly rejoice?

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul shall be joyful in my God; for he bath clothed me with the garments of salvation; he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

Isaiah 61:10

11. Under what adverse circumstances may the Christian be joyful in God?

"22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6:22, 23)

12. What gracious words spoken by the Saviour to his disciples, reach down through the ages to us?

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

13. What special cause for encouragement is given us by virtue of Christ's victory over the world?

"To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

Revelation 3:21

14. How constant should the Christian's rejoicing be?

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice."

Philippians 4:4