Week 50
Philippians 4:11 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Contentment is a large thing in life. Because of our sinfulness, we are hard-wired to be discontent, disagreeable, doubtful, critical, and greedy. The sinner is never content; the sinner strains for more and more sin, to accumulate more and more stuff, and the sinner never finds contentment in any change or fulfilled task.
This is not so for the Christian. The Christian finds in Jesus all that is necessary to satisfy the soul and bring about contentment at the deepest level of life.
The Christian is content with troublesome circumstances, because he knows that Jesus is the Master of all circumstances. The Christian believes in and rests upon the sovereign providence of God, knowing that all things are in His hands. The Christian confesses (sometimes through tears and weariness) that God will cause all things to work out for our good and for His glory.
A contented heart is not blind to sin and sorrow; a contented heart is not uninformed about loss and sacrifice. But the contented heart is fully convinced that nothing can happen here on earth that is outside of the kindness and goodness of God’s direction or permission. And the contented heart believes wholeheartedly that if God permits or directs a matter, then there is glory in it; there is goodness in it. Though the issue may be rotten to the core; though the matter may strike chords of sorrow and suffering in the soul, still our God reigns on high, and we can trust Him.
Some who are reading these words today may be plowing through troubling seas. Perhaps your little ship may be battered, and your sails torn by contrary winds of circumstances or human sinfulness. If you are a child of God through faith in Christ, your Master sees and knows; He cares about you, and He will kindly and wisely step in to lead and support you. Take your anguish to Him who died for you; pour out your heart to Him who poured out His lifeblood for you on the cross. Walk through the valley of the shadow of death with confidence because you know that goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Rest your fears and your hopes in the kind hands of your sweet Savior and Lord. Be content, be at peace, for all is well.
Prayer: Dear Lord, my path is difficult, and I am not sufficient for the task at hand. There are situations in my life about which I have no control, and I cannot see the light of a solution in my future. Please take my life, and my situation, and lead me. Please undergird me with Your strength, and guide my path in the ways of righteousness. Thank You for loving me and caring for me. Amen.