Finding Contentment

Contentment is living in peace and confidence in what is going on in your life and where your life is going.

Contentment is not complacency. It is not a false peace based on trust in yourself but it is abiding peace and confidence in God in the midst of the battle.

In the last section of Philippians, chapter 4 verses 10 to 23 Paul shares the secret of being content. A clue: Without Jesus as the center of your life, it is impossible.

A key word in this passage is learned. It means to know something because you have experienced it. Paul says we can learn to be content when we find our sufficiency in Jesus, not ourselves.

Paul shares with us three spiritual resources that make us sufficient and give us contentment.

Philippians 4:10

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.

#1: The Overruling Providence of God

The word providence comes from two words that mean “before” and “to see”. God’s providence means that He sees it beforehand and gives us what we need even before we know there is a need. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and resources to accomplish His purpose.

Joseph’s life is a great example of God arranging circumstances, which were not always wonderful in the short term, to accomplish His purpose of delivering His people.

The greatest example is Jesus. Jesus came and died for us before you and I knew we had a need. God provided a Savior before we knew we needed to be saved.

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.

The provision that God promises is:

For the long term, not the short term

For those who are following Him

For His purpose

We need to see life not as a series of accidents, but as a series of appointments arranged by God for our benefit and His glory.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is trusting God’s provision.

Philippians 4:11-13

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

#2: The Unfailing Power of God

It was the power of Jesus within Paul that gave him spiritual contentment.

The followers of Jesus have the power within them that they need to live fulfilling the desires of God. God has given us His Holy Spirit, so we have the power to do whatever He directs us to do.

In John 15:5 Jesus tells us that without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we will produce much fruit.

The more we trust God and obey Him, the more we will experience His presence.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is depending on and experiencing the presence and power of God.

Philippians 4:14-20

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul points out ways that his needs were met:

The Philippians helped meet his needs in the early days.

Epaphroditus brought gifts that met his needs.

                                                                           

The bottom line of the different ways that his needs were met is that they all came from God. It was God who supplied all Paul’s needs.

All the ways that God met his needs came through Jesus.

We as followers of Jesus don’t have to go looking for Jesus; we have Jesus. When we as Jesus’ followers are in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then we will have every need met.

Hudson Taylor said, “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack God’s supply.”

God’s promises are real and we can depend on them.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is depending on the person and promises of God.

Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God.

On a personal note, I want to thank you for giving me the privilege of sending these devotions to you. This devotion marks the end of six years of doing Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls. My prayer is, as always, that God will speak to you through these devotions and use them to help you to more intimately know Him.

With Contentment Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls

                                            Joe