One laugh from start to finish!” These are the words posted up in a certain street to call attention to a place of amusement.
Many children and young people enjoy what they call a good laugh, and might be attracted by these words to go in for a little more pleasure. But there is one thing said about the laugh that is true of all the pleasures of this world,
“It has a finish.” We read in Proverhs 14:13,
“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”
I read of a man who became so miserable that he felt quite ill, and he went to a doctor for advice. The doctor, seeing the man was unhappy, yet knowing nothing of the happiness to be found in Christ, said to him,
“You want change and amusement; go and see that famous clown; he is drawing hundreds of people, he will be sure to cheer you up.”
“But,” said the man, “I am that clown.”
While amusing others, he was himself unhappy. The pleasures of this world can never satisfy the heart. The end of that mirth is heaviness.
How different the joy that God gives. He offers, not enjoyment for an hour or two, but full joy, joy which no man can take away.
Which are you going in for, dear young reader, a few changing pleasures here, or the everlasting joy and peace that God gives?
When the young man in Luke 15, sought satisfaction away from God, what did it bring? Poverty, hunger, loneliness. Then he came to himself and remembered the fulness of the father’s house; he saw himself as a sinner and unworthy of the father’s love. Then he arose and came to his father, but while still afar off, the father saw him and received and welcomed him in his own gracious, loving way. He clothed him, and made him fit for the the father’s house; he provided all that was neddedm and they began to be merry. No finish here. That joy never ends. God still dleing to bless poor sinners.
If you, dear reader, turn to Him, He will gladly receive you, and give you life and peace and joy everlasting. Then you will be able to sing:
“O, I am so happy in Jesus,
His love is enough for my heart;
What want I with earth’s fleeting pleasures?
When with Him, I have such a part.”
“Jesus Christ, whom not having seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:7,87That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:7‑8).
ML 07/226/1942