The sequence $\{a_n\}$ satisfies $a_1 = \frac{1}{2}$, $a_2 = \frac{3}{8}$, and $a_{n + 1}^2 + 3 a_n a_{n + 2} = 2 a_{n + 1} (a_n + a_{n + 2}) (n \in \mathbb{N^*})$. $(1)$ Determine the general formula of the sequence $\{a_n\}$; $(2)$ Prove that for any positive integer $n$, there is $0 < a_n < \frac{1}{\sqrt{2n + 1}}$.