ROK-08d
Short Clip
Paul’s Course Guide to Learning Contentment: There are seven courses that Paul had to take in the School of Contentment. We know Paul learned these truths because he either wrote about them or reflected them as lessons learned from the Word.
Embrace the Goodness of God. God is good all the time; and all the time, no matter what happens: God is good. Can you say that God is good all the time? Godliness is an attitude whereby what we want is to please God. Contentment, explains J.I. Packer, “is essentially a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good”. That is just Rom. 8:28 in action, embracing the God is works all things together for His good.
Rest Upon the Omniscience of God. God knows all past, present, and future events. Either we believe God, or by our fearful actions deny Him. Luke 12:30 (NKJV) For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.
Trust the Omnipotence of God. God has the power and authority to do anything with us or anyone else that He wants to. As Hannah prayed in 1 Sam. 2:7, it is the Lord who makes us prosper or allows us to struggle.
Remember My Personal Unworthiness. Jeremiah states it so well in Lam. 3:22 when he reminded all of us that it is just God’s mercy that keeps any of us from being consumed by His wrath on sin. No one is worthy of anything but Hell. Remembering that truth every day, is a powerful antidote to pride, ingratitude, and feeling entitled to anything.
Mortify My Personal Worldliness. James reminded the First of all churches, the one in Jerusalem, that friendship with the world, especially that which causes us to lust for what we don’t have: makes God our enemy (James 4:4).
Pursue Friendship with God. James went on to say that each time we draw near to God He draws nearer to us (James 4:8). Jesus said that when we love Him enough to obey Him God reveals more and more of Himself to us (John 14:21).
Enjoy Being Satisfied by God. David said that awakening in the likeness of God was his desire (Ps. 17:15). But Paul says it best right back in Philippians 4. God supplied his needs, God made him content no matter what. Paul said that no matter what comes, what I face: my God supplies me. I am satisfied.