July 23, 2023
Topic: Benefits of God’s Presence – CONTENTMENT
Text: Reading: Psalm 37:3-4
Memory Verse: “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart “Ps 37:4.
CONTENTMENT is a state of happiness and satisfaction as explained by the dictionary. The Bible explains contentment as the state of being satisfied with what you have, and not desiring more. We are to find contentment in our relationship with God and not through accumulating possessions.
It is safe to say that those who embrace the advice of this psalm, their hearts will desire the right things because they delight themselves in the LORD. It is the nature of human beings never to be satisfied with what they have. This human nature is filled with self-concern and does not know what is best for it. What the human nature lusts for is capable of leading to spiritual and physical death. It makes people think that the grass is greener on the other side and that there is more and better in something else other than that which is already in one’s possession. Many times, that thing that appears new and exciting is the opposite of what it resembles from far.
The Israelites had a perverse craving for tasty food, and their reward ended up being death. They doubted God’s ability to supply and doubted His concern for their welfare. “But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and He struck them with a severe plague. Therefore, the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.” Numbers 11:33-34. (Kibroth Hattaavah means “the graves of greediness”). The lesson for us here, is not to let our cravings – even desires for good things – take our eyes off the goal and reality of what God is doing for us and in us.
Contentment can only be found in one source and that source is found in a soul satisfying relationship with our Heavenly Father who cares for us and promises to meet us where we are as the bible declares:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Prayer: Oh Lord, let me always find contentment in You in my daily walk with You, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.