CULTIVATING CONTENTMENT IN CHRIST -- PART 4

Someone has said, “Remembrance is the hallmark of gratitude.” Gratitude is the back bone of contentment. It is profitable to look back and consider what the Lord has done for us. We were slaves of sin and under the curse of God. But God, who is rich in mercy loved us even when we were dead in trespasses and sins, saved us by His amazing grace. The days of our first love were delightfully exuberating. Our blood-bought hearts basked in God’s love. We were cleansed and made pure for the Master and we indulged  in that. In fact, it was such a delightful experience that we could not keep quiet. Others just had to hear. Perhaps your zeal has declined, perhaps your joy has faded, perhaps your prospects have overcome you. You are discontented. Of course! That is to be expected! God’s Word gives us answers to finding peace and contentment.

In Hebrews 10:32-39 God counterbalances our dilemma with grave warnings. Our new-found faith gives us new joy and anticipation. We recall those precious former days when we were illuminated to such a degree that in the midst of great struggles and sufferings we didn’t “cave  in.” We sang, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope in years to come. Our shelter in the stormy blast, and our eternal home.” God has not changed.

Let’s take a look at Psalm 37:5-7, as I said we would do in our last session. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him . . . wait patiently for Him . . . Do not fret.” That is a BIG chunk when we are in the middle of the muddle!  First of all, God advises us and reassures us in the powerful words of verse 4. “ Delight yourself in the Lord.”  The battle is not yours, but God’s. Don’t attempt to figure or fight. He will take care of you and do for you what you can’t do for yourself, even if you try. On top of all those care packages He still has more.  He looks inside and gives you“the desires of your heart.” Assurance! Take God at His word! What an awesome God is He. “Immortal, invisible, God only wise.”

We would do well to flesh out verses 5-7.When you are slandered, misjudged, falsely accused, misunderstood, or misquoted, commit the entire matter to the Lord.  Roll the weight onto Him. Let Him act in your behalf. Leave it there. So trust. Now, having done the above, rest in Him.
Since He is carrying your burden, it is not necessary for you to bear it also. That is exactly what we too often do. We take our burden back. How foolish! It is God’s will that you should cast on Him your every care. He also bids you not to cast your confidence away. But oh, we are so foolish when taken unawares. We cast away our confidence and carry all our cares.  Verse 8 tells us not to fret because it only causes harm. Health advisors list the devastating effects that worry, fear, anger, and such have on our bodies. The Lord tells us what they will do to our hearts, minds, and souls. God has the remedy (Philippians 4:6). Read it, pray, ask, be thankful. He gives peace.

Did you note the one more pearl that we must add to our string of contentment? Wait.There’s more.  Wait patiently. More. Wait patiently for Him. Yes. Waiting is the thing we find hardest to do. Waiting is the thing we do least. God has a time table that will precisely fit not only our need, but will importantly accomplish His purpose in us and for us. Note that our resources, as believers, are in the Lord.  “Trust in the Lord (v.3). Delight in the Lord (v. 4). Commit your way to the Lord (v.5) Rest in the Lord (v.7a). Wait patiently for Him (v.7b).”
                                                                                                                                 (to be continued)

Cultivating Contentment in Christ ~ Part 3

I am an octogenarian who would like to share with you the blessed experience of  cultivating contentment in Christ in our senior years of  life. No, I'm not telling you that I have worked out all of  it and am ready with all the answers. I'm finding it to be a daily learning experience accompanied by  victory as I dig ( and I do mean dig) into God's Word for answers. God has wonderfully blessed my years with health, strength, and vigor, which He has channeled into multiple venues of  service for Him.  I had found it hard to ever realize my age -- until recently. I can now begin to identify with many of  you who have been telling me what it is like. So, let's think together positively about the "glory of  aging."

It goes without saying that the first answer to this phase of  life is found in God's Word. Do open your Bible and  carefully/reflectively read the comforting words found in Isaiah 40:28-31. Oh yes, you are familiar with it, but as you read it, claim it for how you feel right now. Now,  ip over to 1 Corinthians 4:16 where we are told that although our outward [person] is decaying our inward [person] is being renewed each day. My husband, John, reminds me that God does not do for us what we can do for ourselves. "Renewal is not automatic, it is major life activity" (Francis Grubbs, The Glory of  Aging, p. 93).

How and where do we start to be daily renewed? It starts with the mind which affects our heart. Yes, and it involves the will, as well. Our sinful mind, heart, and will must be transformed. We may deeply/desperately yearn and even try to be better and to do better. Our efforts will fail. Only God, by the power of  His Holy Spirit, can effect this change. He is our overcomer. He gives victory. He has promised, "Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Psa. 37:5). We will go deeper into this study on our next blog post.

Let's take a lesson from an eight-year-old girl who was blinded at birth by a quack physician. "Oh what a happy child I am, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be! How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't! So weep or sigh because I'm blind, I cannot -- nor I won't." (Frances Jane Crosby)

It is our unfailing hope in God and our ever present blessed hope of  spending eternity with Him in glory that floods our spirit with unspeakable joy.  Joy is fulfillment!

To " Set your mind on...Christ" (Col. 3:2) and His promises, is a dictate that serves us well in our declining years. He is our refuge. Underneath are His everlasting arms. He will faithfully carry us through every stormy blow, every weakness, every fear! He will never fail! He has promised!

" Even to your old age , I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! Even I will carry, and will deliver you." God is speaking directly to you and to me through the pen of  Isaiah (46:4).
                                                                                                  (to be continued)

Thought #12

  “Expect great things from God, and great things you shall have.”  George Mueller

Thought #11

“I have a goodly heritage” (Psa. 16:6).  Our Lord Jesus and all of us who follow God’s will find that it leads to pleasant places in our journey of life.  Ultimately our heritage will be to share His glory with Him forever.  Doesn’t that make your heart beat with anticipation?  It is worth it all!

A Thought #10

“The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance” (Psa. 16:5).  Our Lord Jesus appropriated ALL that the Father made available to Him and His joy was full.  He wanted nothing beside.  Why are we so joyless, so fraught with anxiety?  We don’t really possess our possessions in Christ Jesus.  He and His Word are totally sufficient to carry us through the darkest hour.  Thank You, Father.

Cultivating Contentment in Christ ~ Part 2

I am thinking about, pursuing, and practicing the Word of God to bring to you these meditations on contentment. Each morning my husband (Jack) leads me to a devotional thought for the day. We have been greatly blessed and stretched by “Daily Remembrancer,” (ISBN 981-05-3518-X), a book first published in the 1800s by Pastor James Smith. He wanted the people of his parish to daily “think upon these things” so he produced these reminders in book form for their use. The book has been updated and revised by editor Dr. S. H. Tow of Singapore. Each page offers a thought provoking message that is not to be ignored.

As I read, study, ponder, and pray about this series on contentment, certain treaties jump out at me that I just have to share. Page 488 of the above mentioned book is one of those messages which so eloquently states what I would like to direct you to. I have read and reread it several times. It is based on Job 5:8 and follows:

“ ‘UNTO GOD WOULD I COMMIT MY CAUSE.’ There is no sounder advice than this. It is the counsel of a real friend. It is much better than seeking unto men, or poring over troubles, or indulging the imagination, or giving way to fears. Troubles generally look worst in the distance: they are seldom found to be as  bad as they appeared to be. My friend, I know not what may be your case, but if I were in perplexity, I would seek unto God for wisdom. If I were in sorrow, I would seek unto God for comfort. If I were in weakness, I would seek unto God for strength. If I were under guilt, I would see k under God for pardon. If I were in doubt and fear, I would seek unto God for confidence and a sense of His favor. If I were under the power of unbelief, I would seek unto God for faith. If I were harassed by Satan, I would seek unto God to lift up a standard against him. If I were afraid of falling, I would seek unto God to uphold me with the right hand of His righteousness. If I were fearful of death, I would seek unto God to turn the shadow of death into the sunshine of God’s morning. Whatever you want, seek it of God. Whatever you fear, carry it to God. Whatever troubles you, lay it before God. You cannot seek Him in vain, or without profit.”

What more can I add?  Just a few thoughts from Scripture should be helpful. When discontentment comes to our mind, heart or emotions, our stabilizing source is the Word of our Father God, Who knows all about it even before we talk to HIm about it. Let’s take a look:

“Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved”  Psalm 55:22. God has promised, dear believing friend. Talk your heart out to  Him. He longs for you to do that _____. He groans for you to do that________.

“ . . . I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content ...”  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4: 12, 13. My search helped me to understand and appreciate the Greek meaning of the word “strengthen.” It means “to put power in.” Because we are believers in Christ, He infuses us with His strength and sustains us until He sends provision.                        

Song -- “I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.”

“ The peace of God . . . shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7

Norma Whitcomb

PiC -- Positioned in Christ

Thought #9

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; neither hath it entered the mind of [woman] the things that God has prepared for them who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:1).   That’s Heaven!  Doesn’t that boggle your mind?   It does mine!  I can’t comprehend it, but God has said it.  I believe it and can hardly wait.  Trust Him.  He means what He says.  Be patient.