“...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11

The incident I mentioned yesterday where I failed to save my sermon, and my ensuing discontent reminded me of how discontent is so prevalent in us and our society.

What God has for us is contentment, which, as J.I. Packer explains, “is a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know He is good and therefore it is good.”

Simple. Profound. Life-changing--if we utilize it. To know God, to deny self, to rejoice in what He brings, whether it is what we want or not--this is contentment.

This is very different from what we are encouraged and pressured to do by the world, the flesh and the devil.  Their method is to know what’s available; indulge yourself; want more.; complain when you don’t get it.

The danger with this is that what I desire becomes what owns me.

In reality, only God is the true source of our contentment, and in each instance, we need to choose Him: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Ps. 62:5).

Prayer: “Lord, may we, like Paul, ‘learn to be content whatever the circumstances,’ knowing that whatever you allow is good because you are good. Amen.”

Picture from the Voice of the Martyrs: a brother in Christ living in active persecution, but has learned contentment.