Realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness.
In a day where everything must be now and instantaneous, it is hard to live with contentment. However, living with contentment brings a peace, joy and happiness that material wealth does not supply.
Noah Webster defined contentment as: a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet. This sounds peaceful, doesn’t it? Paul lived the life of a nomad as he traveled on his missionary journeys. However, he was content as he shows us in Philippians 4:11 when he says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He was happy, content and at peace no matter where he was. Paul went through much, too. He testified himself of all that he suffered.
Paul told us this to show us that no matter what happened he was content because he knew he was in God’s will.
“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (II Corinthians 11:24-28)
Could we suffer all that and still say we are content? There were people in the Bible that were not content and their discontent led to many trials along the way. Ahab comes to mind as a king who had it all yet did not have a small vineyard next to his courtyard. He asked Naboth to give it to him. Naboth refused (it was his livelihood) and Ahab became so obsessed with wanting it that Jezebel, his wife, had Naboth killed just so Ahab could have the vineyard. This was not contentment.
Contentment will not only bring peace but your heart will remain right with God and your fellowship sweet when you realize all you have in Him. Gratefulness will be a bi-product of contentment and you will not be able to stop praising your Savior. God will give you grace to seek contentment if you but ask Him for it.
O grant me, Lord, that sweet content,
That sweetens every state;
Which no internal fears can rent,
Nor outward foes abate.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace—
Thy word the truth hath said—
Who, clothed with Thy great righteousness,
Thy arm his strength has made.
Grant me then, Lord, a contrite heart,
A meek and quiet breast;
Thy own unspotted mind impart,
Thy own unshaken rest.
That rest for humble souls prepared,
The bosom of Thy love;
Where patience finds her full reward,
When perfected above.
Give me then grace this rest to seek,
And, as I seek, to find;
My heart all pure, my soul all meek,
The copy of Thy mind.
So shall I know Thy utmost power,
Thy utmost glory prove;
And in eternity adore
The matchless gift of love!
(Edward Perronet)
Lord, help me to find contentment in You. Remind me of Paul’s words in I Timothy 6:6, “but godliness with contentment is great gain.”