Proverbs 14.9
“Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.”
The guilt offering represents the gap between man’s sin and the Lord’s holiness, and it represents the Lord’s grace and forgiveness. The Old Testament guilt offering was a sign that pointed to the coming Christ. Those who trust in God’s grace through Jesus are the recipients of God’s forgiveness. They humble themselves and confess their sin at the guilt offering.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1.9)
Fools are arrogant and do not acknowledge their sin. As a result, they mock the guilt offering. They ridicule and make fun of the ceremonies and observances of the Christian faith. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1.8)
Proverbs 14.10
“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.”
We rarely know what goes on within someone else’s heart. Some people have deep pain that those on the outside do not see and cannot feel. Others have great joy that cannot be fully understood by other people.
However, remember that this is a proverb … a brief statement that communicates something that is generally true. While most of the time it is true that people cannot understand the great joys or deep sorrows of the human heart, there is One who does see and understand: the God who created you, redeemed you, and calls you to himself.
The NT book of Hebrews tells us this: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
The OT prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah this way: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53.3)
Jesus sees, understands, and feels everything that happens in your heart. Note that Isaiah says the Messiah is “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” The Lord is acquainted with your grief. He feels your pain and he understands.
Proverbs 14.13
“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.”
Even when we are laughing and putting on a brave face for the crowd, even when we’re going through the motions and trying to be positive, on the inside there may be turmoil, heartache, discouragement and even despair. Just because you see somebody laughing and smiling, it doesn’t mean that everything is O.K. Underneath the laughter there may be something we know nothing about.
Here is the bottom line: Bring your heart to the Lord. That includes your happiness and joy, as well as your sorrow and grief. God knows you and loves you. Trust him with your heart.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)
May I also suggest that there are wise people in your life who trust God who are able to see and understand what is in your heart. These people can be enormously helpful and encouraging to you.
