ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (JUNE 3, 2012)

Contentment and Joy

Philippians 4:4-13



"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
(PHILIPPIANS 4:12)

Today I write about something I'm still working on: contentment. I suspect I am not alone. 17th century Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs wrote that contentment is a "rare jewel" in the Christian faith. How true. And how I long for it not to be rare, but to be common in my life! Contentment is much more than just feeling that things are going well. There is certainly no shortage of evil in this sin-stricken world. But when I can look at my whole life and know that whatever God has given me is for my good and His glory, I am beginning to know contentment.

Am I really satisfied and joy-filled in what God has given me? Often the nation of Israel complained against God even though He had provided for them. Their lack of contentment is a stark picture of our own tendency to complain against God. He has full rights to our lives. We can experience contentment and be assured by the words of Octavius Winslow that "in the case of every child of God, calamity never comes alone; it invariably brings Jesus with it."


INSIGHT
WE ARE GOD'S WORK IN PROGRESS, ENJOYING HIS PROMISES AND CONTENTMENT WITH THE FREEDOM HE BRINGS.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Chronicles 15-16
Psalm 15
Matthew 22

Philippians 4:4-13
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

JESUS IN THE PSALMS [PART 1]

Where do you see Jesus? The more we come to know him, the more we see him in the pages of Scripture and in the world we live in.