Life is hard. Sometimes, disciples struggle with how to be content in Christ. This daily devotional looks at how disciples in Christ can be content with the life to which God has called us.
Nuggets
- Since we were separated from God by the original sin, we have to choose God to gain access to Him again.
- God has commanded all disciples be content in our situations.
- Sometimes, God calls us to remain in a bad situation.
- Disciples of Christ are not meant to be sticks in the mud.
This year, we are looking at self-discipline. We are using Vincent’s The Lesson of Ripeness sermon to look at the need to grow in our relationship with God. We morphed learning enough to be a teacher into determining some areas we need to grow so we can be mature disciples.
Vincent made a comment that really struck a chord with me. He wrote, “And time ought to have ripened faith in the sense of restfulness. We count it strange if natural manhood does not bring with it increased composure, tranquillity, balance. Shall we count it any less strange if, with the lapse of time, Christian manhood does not become better poised, more restful and quiet, less easily thrown off its balance?”
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Now, we are going to look at tranquility.
We are going to approach tranquility from two different ways. First, we are going to look at contentment. Then, we are going to look at peace.
Devotions in the Contentment Leads to Tranquility series
Let's Put It into Context #1
The Holman Bible Dictionary defines contentment as “an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances.”
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Let's Put It into Context #2
Where did our contentment go? Adam and Eve had it. If we look in Genesis 2, we hear only good stuff.
- A description of the Garden of Eden
- Creation of Eve
Then came Chapter 3.
Sin stole our contentment. Dale noted that we no longer need to gauge the degree of human deprivation. Instead, we can become recipients of God’s mercy. God’s mercy is the unexpected way God responds in love to our needs.
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Only with God can we find contentment.
Content with Our Boundaries
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (Ps. 16: 6 CSB)
Since we were separated from God by the original sin, we have to choose God to gain access to Him again. When we do, we can find contentment — mainly because we now have boundaries.
Glossary
Whoa! What? Boundaries give us contentment?!?!
First off, we have to figure out what boundary lines is talking about. Maclaren told us that they were “… the measuring cords by which the estate was parted off and determined …” It shows us what is ours and what is off limits.
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If we are not submitting to God, we do not follow His laws and commandments. In other words, we cross the boundaries.
We have mentioned before that these laws and commandments show us God’s character. When we followed them and imitate God’s character, we are content.
We find contentment because we are confident that God has forgiven us for our sins and has made us His children again. “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure” (Ps. 16: 5 NIV).
Glossary
But look at that. It says, “… in pleasant places …” (Ps. 16: 6 CSB).
The Contemporary English Version explains what it means there. “You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright” (Ps. 16: 6 CEV).
Contentment is for life as a whole. It isn’t contingent on certain circumstances. It puts our focus on Him instead of this world.
Above all, it is our inheritance — which also knows no bounds. But it doesn’t mean we will be the recipient of money, family heirlooms, and sentimental objects.
Contentment is about being able to come into the presence of Sovereign God here in this life. It is about being able to spend eternity with Him.
Content with Our Situation
“Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches” (I Cor. 7: 17 CSB)
Paul talked about the need for us to be content in our situations. God has commanded this of all disciples.
Paul reminded us that we aren’t in Heaven yet, so we haven’t earned our inheritance yet. There is life to experience here still, and we are expected to experience the life into which God has called us.
Yes, God assigns us to our lot in life. God didn’t assign me to be a mathematician. He didn’t assign me to be a dancer, either.
God assigned me to be the mother of a guy who really needed me. He assigned me to support faculty so they could teach their students. He assigned me to write words so you could get an idea of Who He is.
I have to follow God’s plan for my life. You have to follow God’s plan for your life.
If we don’t, we don’t find contentment. Yeah, it may be just a little off. More than likely, it will be dissatisfying.
Lyth made a good point. He stressed it “allows of no exception unless when compliance is sinful.”
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We have duties that God has given us to perform. We have to perform them — with only one exception. If something is going to cause us to sin, we are to not sin.
I know. That is a little of a head scratcher, isn’t that? What gives?
In my opinion — and I may be right, I may be wrong — God gives us duties. I don’t think He micromanages the situation. He gives us options to do what He wants us to do.
Remember, we have said God isn’t a dictator. It is always about free will. Free will is the ability within us to make decisions, which determine actions that produce character.
Let’s think about it this way. Worldview people are very quick to point out when disciples don’t do the do’s and do the don’ts. They think it is about execution.
It isn’t. The do’s and don’ts are about building character. It is about making the decisions, not necessarily what decision we make.
I think it is really about growing in grace through the situations in which He calls us.
Content to Remain in Bad Situations
“Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called” (I Cor. 7: 20 CSB)
Sometimes, God calls us to remain in a bad situation. In those instances, we have to trust God’s provision.
How can we remain content when God chooses not to rescue us from a bad situation?
I’ve told you before that I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. That is what Solomon told us. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecc. 3: 1 ESV).
Nothing happens that God has not allowed to happen. The reason it has happened is because – in some way – it will expand His kingdom.
It may be my reason something happens to me. It may be my sister’s, or someone at church’s – or yours.
I may never know the reason why something happened. But someone, somewhere was brought closer to God because of what happened to me.
God knows I like to know why something is happening. I do work better when I can make sense of things.
Realizing that has helped me deal with several things that have happened to me. I don’t have to know. I have to trust God.
When we trust God and put everything firmly in His hands – especially in the difficult situations – He will greatly bless us. We also grow closer to Him.
Content to Enjoy Life to the Fullest
“Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and never let oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun” (Ecc. 9: 7-9 CSB)
Disciples of Christ are not meant to be sticks in the mud. God wants us to enjoy our lives while we grow to be like Him.
If we always go around stressed out, why would non-believers want to believe in God? If we are always worried about how we are going to make ends meet, how do we convince non-believers that God will provide for us?
If non-believers think being a disciple of Christ is all about what we have to give up, why would they want that?
Yes, these words do look like something a non-believer would say to take things to the extreme that God doesn’t want. We know God doesn’t want that.
But we also know that God doesn’t want us to go to one extreme or the other. He wants us to maintain a sober disposition.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
No, sober doesn’t mean stick in the mud, either. Sober is a character trait distinguished by self-control, genuineness, and sound moral judgment. It is a calm and temperate disposition.
God wants us to enjoy our lives, but we need to remain in control so that we don’t sin.
Making the Connections
I found a really neat sermon by Statham. He gave us what God considers pleasure is not.
- Not a belittling power
- Not using noise to call attention to itself
- Not limited because we can have too much of it
- Not a selfish pleasure
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We don’t need what the worldview thinks we need to be content. We only need God.
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
It takes trust and faith to be content in difficult situations. Sometimes, it takes a change in our attitude. That definitely takes self-discipline to accomplish!
How Do We Apply This?
We apply this by going from a milk baby to a steak adult. We grow our faith and trust.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
Once we are really depending on God, we are more content in whatever situation we find ourselves in.
I see our becoming content with our lives as we submit more to God. As we learn to trust Him and depend on Him, we know He will take care of us.
We don’t have to stress. We don’t have to worry.
We have to depend on God’s provision.
Father God. There are so many times we want to depend on ourselves. We think we know what we want and need. We think we have to provide it for ourselves. We don’t. We have to trust You. We have to depend upon Your provision because You know what is best for us. Help us to grow closer to You. Amen.
What do you think?
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