The Believer's Sorrows and Joys
Proverbs 14:10
The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.


I. THE BELIEVER'S SORROWS. There are sorrows common to believers and to unbelievers. There are some peculiar to the renewed man. Those are the most alive to sin who are most free from sin. A strong sense of sin is one of the characteristics of the real man of God. Believers are also at times unable to receive the promises. When comfort is offered they cannot avail themselves of it. Sometimes there is great spiritual depression under a sense of the withdrawal of God's favour. But there is nothing more dangerous than to leave the soul in this state of bitterness of heart.

II. THE BELIEVER'S JOYS. What is it in which he finds joy?

1. From the joyful sound of the everlasting gospel.

2. The joy of pardoning grace applied to the soul.

3. The fulness of Divine grace.

4. Communion with God.

(H. M. Villiers, M.A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

WEB: The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.




On the Secret Bitterness of the Heart
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