August 2, 2023
Wednesday
True Contentment
Romans 12:1-2
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Paul and Silas were jailed in Philippi where they entertained the other prisoners with their prayers and hymn-singing (Acts 16:25). And while under house arrest for two years in Rome, Paul preached and taught about the Kingdom to all who would listen (Acts 28:30-31). Why was he able to find joy and contentment in those dire circumstances?
Perhaps because he practiced what he exhorted the Christians in Rome to do: present oneself to God as a living sacrifice in order to discover that “perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Paul cared less about what God’s will was than he did about being faithful in it. So, when God’s will was incarceration, he was content with being imprisoned. When the Philippian church sent gifts for his welfare while under arrest in Rome, he rejoiced. But not because he was desperate for the gifts; he was perfectly content. He rejoiced because he knew God would bless the gift-givers (Philippians 4:17).
True contentment is knowing what God’s will is and living by faith in it.
A point to ponder…
Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.
Jim Elliot
Read the Bible through in a year
I love you!!!
© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich