One of the greatest places to be in this life is in the place of contentment. And there is but one source of ultimate contentment. Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the Lord leads to life…. then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” But, too many people are discontented and it leads them into attitudes and behaviors that are personally depressive or destructive, both to them and their loved ones. Spending excessively, going into unmanageable debt, indulging in carnality, uncontrolled anger, drug and alcohol addictions, obsession with the physical appearance, a manipulative or controlling personality, criminal activity…. all these and more are manifestations and expressions of discontentment. The wisdom of Proverbs is that love and respect for the Lord at the very center of who we are means abundant life/contentment, but without the Lord at the center of who we are, we will be touched by trouble.
Now there is a sense in which we are all exposed to trouble. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation [trouble], but, be encouraged, I have overcome the world.” So, for the child of God, the Christ-follower…. even though exposed to trouble because of life on this fallen planet…. we are untouched. We are living daily with the security of knowing we are in Christ and that life in Him is a place of grace, peace and contentment. I think it is what our incarnate Lord meant in Matthew 11:28 when He extended to us all what has been called The Great Invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [contentment].”
Pray with me…. Our loving Father, we come to you in renewed devotion today. We praise and thank you for the gift of contentment, the blessing of knowing You, loving You and serving You above all other priorities in life. In this busy season, at another year’s end, we pray for special moments that remind us we have ‘fullness of life’ in Jesus, the Source of our contentment. In His name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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