Jesus is the Answer

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
JESUS IS THE ANSWER
Prov 14:13
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief.
NIV
Solomon tried many things to see what worthwhile, one was in particular as he expresses in Eccl 2:1-3 is laughter while he found as meaningless. It would seem this is talking about a forced laughter on the face to hide the real pain that exists within the heart. This external appearance of being happy and content with life while deep within discontentment breeds angry and hatred would seem to be the truth here. The façade people wear to disguise their real self does not fool God for he sees the heart of man and knows their condition. In fact, I believe most people can see past those false fronts if any meaningful time is spent in the company of those presenting such a façade. It may fool some for a while, but the true self always emerges in time. God has declared that as a person thinks so is he. People cannot hide the pain or the angry which resides within forever, they actions will someday expose them. Worldly joy however exuberant it might appear is merely a surface expression and does not express the true condition of the inner being of a person. The only true joy and happiness that can be found is in Christ Jesus. The peace of knowing that at the end of this time on earth, however good or bad it may be, will result in stepping into the presence of God in the paradise he has prepared for us is beyond the comprehension of the world. There is no need to hide this kind of joy behind anything for it does not end in grief, as those who refuse to accept God will. Only pain, suffering, angry, hatred and all those negative emotions of the heart are tried to be covered up. Even faith in God can be a form of false laughter by those who would say everyone gets to go to heaven. Grief will surely find them in the end. No, it is only through the true repentance of the heart and the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is Lord will true joy last forever. I am who I am, a sinner saved by grace, no getting around it, no façade, no lies, I need Jesus. Jesus is the answer.