Sorrow is Better than Laughter - Ecclesiastes 7:3

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart” and in chapter seven and verse three of his book Solomon said, “sorrow is better than laughter” where we read,

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

The verse reads, “Sorrow is better than laughter:” Solomon began with the words, “sorrow is better” or “anger, vexation, provocation and grief exists as superior and more pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “than laughter” which means “compared to mocking, derision and joyful merriment or defiance”. Solomon declared vexation and grief to be superior to joyful derision and merriment. 

The verse goes on to say, “for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” Daniel continued with the words, “for by sadness” or “because, since and on account that through the means of badness, evil, naughtiness and wickedness” “of the countenance of the heart” which means “pertaining to the face, surface, front and presence belonging to the soul, mind and will” “is made better” or “exists as more pleasing, glad, well and thoroughly beautiful”. Solomon said through the means of the refining process of badness, wickedness a disheartened presence a person’s soul, mind and will become glad.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how “sorrow” refines our souls, whereas cheerfulness and merriment sometimes doesn’t. God knows what is best for us, and because He works in the eternal, sometimes we are made “sad” which makes us better for eternity. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to suffer in sorrow as He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth even when “sorrow” of heart helps us to be conformed into His image. (See Psalm 17:15)

Next time Solomon says, “the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".