Divine Discontent!

The ideal Christian life is one of unquenchable thirst, of bottomless yearning, of divine discontent wooed ever on by visions of holier living, higher joy, and new attainments. The trouble with too many of us, is that we are too satisfied with ourselves as we are. We have attained a small measure of peace, of holiness, of faith, of joy, of knowledge of Christ and we are not hungering for the larger possible rewards. 

Pray for discontent with your spiritual state! With all the infinite possibilities of spiritual life before you, do not sit down on a little patch of dusty ground at the foot of the mountain, in restful contentment. Do not be content until you reach the mountain's summit! 

[J. R. Miller] 

Matthew 5:6 ... Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

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Roses.

Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.

John 6:43 ... Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Timothy 6:6 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain. ❤

We Need Very Little!!

Those who seek the Lord may be sick, or poor, or tried, in a variety of ways; but the Lord will send them supplies, OR give them the grace of contentment, so that they shall not lack any good thing. But how many mistake wishes for needs! And while the Lord has promised to supply all His people's needs, He has nowhere promised to gratify all their wishes. We really need very little. 

Therefore, the apostle says, "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that!" (1 Timothy 6:8) And again, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)  

"They shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10) That is, they shall not lack whatever is really good for them at the time, and under the circumstances. Whatever will promote their holiness and happiness, shall certainly be conveyed to them. Those who seek the Lord are sure of necessary supplies, for four reasons: 

First, the Lord is ABLE to supply them. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." (Psalm 24:1) He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20) 

Second, the Lord DESIRES to supply them. "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13) He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.  

Third, the Lord has PROMISED to supply them. "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11) "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)   

Fourth, the Lord ALWAYS HAS supplied them. Look at Jacob and David, and at all who have already arrived in glory. If the question, put by the Lord Jesus, to His disciples when they returned from their missionary tour on which He sent them without purse or bag, was put to them: "Have you lacked anything?" Every one of them would readily answer, "Nothing, Lord!" (Luke 22:35)

 [James Smith]

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Go, Take Your Fill!

Your happiness arises from that object on which your affections are placed. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If your affections are placed upon a poor empty creature; or, if like Judas, your heart is so depraved that you desire only the moneybag; or, like Reuben, you are content for worldly convenience to continue on this side Jordan then remember that you are bartering eternal life for a mere fantasy and deceiving yourself into irretrievable and endless ruin!  If you will be content with a breath of honor, a blaze of pleasure, a snare of riches, or a parcel of vanity, then go, take your fill! 

But know assuredly, that the end of these things is death! When you shall draw your last breath, when honor will appear only as air, when your deathless soul shall be forever ensnared then you will greatly lament your past conduct and wish you had never been born! 

But now, O true Christian, if you are risen with Christ from the dead, and are looking at unseen and eternal realities then for you is prepared a golden crown, a celestial harp, a glorious mansion, and eternal hallelujahs! You shall enjoy the presence of God and the Lamb forever and ever! You shall gaze on the incomparable brightness of God, and forever contemplate the wonders of redemption! 

Lord, if this is my happiness then let others enjoy the things of this world! For my part, I am content to deny myself, and take up my cross and follow You! 

[Thomas Sherman] 

Psalm 16:11 ...  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

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A Contented Man.

Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has.

[A. W. Pink]

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

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Christian Contentment

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

 1 Timothy 6:8 ... And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.❤

Flowers of Heaven

Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated. It will not grow in us by nature; it is the new nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in it.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

1 Timothy 6:6 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain.❤

Rich in Christ

I have heard of some good old woman in a cottage, who had nothing but a piece of bread and a little water, and lifting up her hands, she said, as a blessing, “What! all this, and Christ too?”

[Charles Spurgeon]

1 Timothy 6:6 … But godliness with contentment is great gain.❤

A Cross of Their Own Choosing

Paul knew how to manage in every state he learned to be content whatever his circumstances. If he was in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful. If he was in adversity, he knew how to be patient. He was neither lifted up with prosperity nor cast down with adversity.

A Christian should be content in any and every situation. Many are contented in some conditions but not in every condition. They can be content in a wealthy state. When they have the streams of milk and honey, now they are content. But if the wind turns and is against them now they are discontented. While they have a silver crutch to lean upon, they are contented; but if God breaks this crutch, now they are discontented.

Many would be content with their affliction if God would allow them to pick and choose. They could better endure sickness than poverty; or bear loss of estate than loss of children. If they might have a cross of their own choosing, they would be content. But a contented Christian does not desire to choose his cross but leaves God to choose for him. He is content both for the kind of the afflictions, and the duration of the afflictions, which God gives him. A contented man says, "Let God apply whatever medicine He pleases, and let it lie on as long as He desires. I know when it has done its cure, and eaten the venom of sin out of my heart that God will take it away."

A contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under the authority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God's disposal, and cheerfully lives in whatever circumstances that God has placed him in. "I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." (2 Corinthians 12:10) He does not only submit to God's dealings, but rejoices in them!

[Thomas Watson]

Philippians 4:11-13 … Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.❤

The Good Fortune

Godliness is conformity to the moral image of God, and the entire consecration of the soul to the Lord's service. The godly are created anew in Christ Jesus; they are united to God through Jesus; and have all the graces or fruits of the Spirit within them. They view things very much as God does; hence they look upon sin as the greatest of all evils; upon the world as a vast vanity; upon saints as the excellent of the earth; and upon the Lord Jesus as altogether lovely!

They hate sin, renounce the world, unite with the saints, and adore the Savior as their God and Lord. They approve of God's precepts, and choose the condition which He prescribes. They love God, believe in Jesus, walk in the Spirit, fear sin, loathe self, and walk in the fear of the Lord. They rely wholly on the perfect work of Christ for acceptance; pant for holiness with ardent longing; and desire always to acquiesce in the sovereign will of God.

True godliness produces and strengthens contentment; and contentment is the calm sunshine of a man's life. We do not mean sitting down in idleness, feeling at home in filth, or indulging in negligence; this would be a disgrace to any creature, especially a professing Christian!

But contentment is connected with honest industry, general cleanliness, and a concern for the honor of God. True contentment springs from acknowledging and eyeing God's providence, whose "tender mercies are over all His works." It is a bowing to His will as the infinitely wise and invariably good; believing the promises He has given;  expecting the provision He has made; and feeling satisfied to share in the common lot with His people. 

Contented Christians prize spiritual blessings before temporal, and live sensible of their demerit and desert. They know that everything short of Hell is a favor and that the glories of Heaven will more than make amends for all the toils and privations of this world's wilderness pilgrimage. They do not expect to find rest below, or a paradise in the desert of this world. They are persuaded, "that all things work together for good, to those who love God, and are the called according to His purpose." Pride is slain, and humility flourishes; for pride is the parent of discontent, ingratitude, peevishness, rebellion against God, and many other evils. While humility produces contentment, patience, gratitude, submission to the will of God, and many other virtues.

The godly who are contented are rich for they have a good fortune! They have inward peace and satisfaction of mind which are better than gold! They are filled with gratitude and thankfulness to God which are better than a large estate! They have love to God and delight in Him which are preferable to a splendid mansion! They have a joyful anticipation of eternal glory, of being acknowledged as the sons of God, and fellow-heirs of Jesus which is to be esteemed above all the titles and honors of this perishing world! They contently live in the enjoyment of what they now have realizing that their glorious portion is yet to come! Their aspirations are on the same level as their earthly condition, hence, they are strangers to fretfulness, murmuring, and the constant vexations which most men experience. They prove that, "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil."

Reader, are you a godly person? Are you acquainted with God as your God, your Friend, your Father? Are you contented with your place, portion, and prospect in this perishing world! If so, you have a good fortune!

[James Smith]

1 Timothy 6:6 … But godliness with contentment is great gain.

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Why Should I Be Unhappy?

A lady of wealth and piety, who had lately met with heavy afflictions, and was expecting more, related some of her sorrows to a poor pious woman, whose humble cottage she entered. The poor Christian, taking the lady to a closet, said, "Do you see anything?" The lady replied, "No." "Then, Madam," said the poor woman, "you see all that I have in this world. But why should I be unhappy? I have Christ in my heart, and Heaven in my eye. I have the unfailing word of promise, that bread shall be given me, and water shall be sure, while I stay a little longer in this valley of tears. And, when I die, a bright crown of glory awaits me, through the merits of Christ."

Once, a poor aged Christian was observed making her scanty meal of bread and water. Expressing the warm gratitude of her heart, because the Savior was hers, she said, "All this and Jesus too!"

No man was tortured at the stake with more cruelty than the holy martyr, John Lambert. They burnt him with a slow fire, by inches. When his legs were burnt off, and his thighs were mere stumps in the fire, they threw his poor body upon pikes, and lacerated his broiling flesh with their axes. But God was with him in the midst of the flame, and supported him in all the anguishing torture. Just before he expired, he lifted up his hands, all flaming with fire, and cried out to the people, with his dying voice, "None but Christ! None but Christ!"

[William Nicholson]

Philippians 3:7-8 … But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

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The College of Contentment

Contentment is not a natural propensity of man. Grumbling, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as weeds are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and weeds; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth. Just so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education.

"Ill weeds grow quickly." But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener's care.

Now, contentment is one of the flowers of Heaven, and if we would have it then it must be cultivated, as it will not grow in us by nature. It is the new nature alone which can produce contentment and even then we must be especially careful and watchful, that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us.

Paul says, "I have learned to be content;" as much as to say, that he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mastery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, "I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content," he was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave a poor prisoner shut up in Nero's dungeon at Rome.

We might well be willing to endure Paul's infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him if we too might by any means attain unto his high degree of contentment. Do not indulge the notion that you can learn contentment without discipline. It is not an ability that may be exercised naturally but a grace to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that murmur, natural though it be and continue a diligent pupil in the College of Contentment.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Philippians 4:11 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

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Unfailing Graounds

Christians have unfailing grounds of satisfaction and contentment, for they know that all their affairs are managed by a wise and gracious Providence.

The calamities which the believer suffers are unstinged to him through the Redeemer's cross, which, like the tree that Moses cast into the waters of Marah, makes bitter things sweet.

He is not visited with any unnecessary evil, and those evils which visit him are made good on the whole, by the tendency which they have to do him good, and make him good.

Reproaches and tribulations, sicknesses and deaths, are the common lot of men. And they are very evil things to those who are strangers to God but they are good to those who love God, for they are appointed and useful means to make them partakers of God's holiness, and prepare them for that blessed world where sins and sorrows are no more!

[George Lawson]

Romans 8:28 … And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 … For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.❤

The Rare Jewel of Contentment

Contentment is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal in every condition: That is the description, and in it nine distinct things have been opened up which we summarize as follows: First, that contentment is a heart-work within the soul; Secondly, it is the quieting of the heart; Thirdly, it is the frame of the spirit; Fourthly, it is a gracious frame; Fifthly, it is the free working of this gracious frame; Sixthly, there is in it a submission to God, sending the soul under God; Seventhly, there is a taking pleasure in the hand of God; Eighthly, all is traced to God's disposal; Ninthly, in every condition, however hard it be and however long it continue.

Now those of you who have learned to be content, have learned to attain to these various things. I hope that the very opening of these things may so far work on your hearts that you may lay your hands upon your hearts on what has been said, I say, that the very telling you what the lesson is may cause you to lay your hands on your hearts and say, 'Lord, I see there is more to Christian contentment than I thought there was, and I have been far from learning this lesson. Indeed, I have only learned my ABC in this lesson of contentment. I am only in the lower form in Christ's school if I am in it at all.' We shall speak of these things more later, but my particular aim in opening this point is to show what a great mystery there is in Christian contentment, and how many distinct lessons there are to be learned, that we may come to attain to this heavenly disposition, to which St. Paul attained.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Philippians 4:11 … Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

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Secure From Disappointment

One of the greatest privileges and brightest ornaments of our profession, is a sweet acquiescence in the Lord's will founded in a persuasion of His wisdom, holiness, sovereignty and goodness.  So far as we attain to this we are secure from disappointment! Our own limited views and short-sighted purposes and desires may be, and will be, often over-ruled. But then our main and leading desire, that the will of the Lord may be done must be accomplished.

How highly does it befit us, both as creatures and as sinners to submit to the appointments of our Maker! And how necessary it is to our peace!

This great attainment is too often unthought of, and overlooked. We are prone to fix our attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to His purpose, and therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall be productive of good in the final outcome. From hence arise impatience, resentment, and secret repining's which are not only sinful, but tormenting.

Whereas, if all things are in His hand; if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of His providence and purpose; and if He has a wise, holy, and gracious end in view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as He leads, and cheerfully to expect a blessed outcome.

[John Newton]

Philippians 4:12-13 ... 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.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

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Content and Thankful

It has been every man's lot to come into and go out of this world naked--to show that he has no right to anything, but lives on the alms of God's charity and grace. All that we have or hold between our birth and death is the mere gift of God.

God might choose whether He would allow us anything or not; and when He has given, He may take back again, and none of us has cause to say anything but what Job said: "Naked I came into the world and naked I shall return. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21

All that we have, our food and clothing and belongings are only lent to us. Therefore, seeing that we deserve nothing we should be content with, and thankful for anything.

[Ralph Venning]

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1 Timothy 6:7-8 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Philippians 4:11 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.❤

The Art of Divine Contentment

Contentment sweetens every condition. Christ turned the water into wine. Just so, contentment turns the bitter waters of Marah, into spiritual wine.  Contentment is a flower which does not grow in every garden. You would think it were excellent, if I could prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty. Behold, here is that which is more excellent for a man to be poor, and yet have enough! Contentment teaches a man how to abound in the midst of poverty!

Have I but little? Yet it is more than I deserve. Do I meet with some crosses? My comfort is, if they are heavy I have not far to go!  My cross is light in comparison with the weight of glory.  Has God taken away my comforts from me? It is well, the Comforter still abides with me. Thus contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition.

[Thomas Watson]

Philippians 4:11-12 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  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.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Timothy 6:6 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain.❤

Remedy Against All Our Troubles!

Contentment sweetens every condition.

Christ turned the water into wine. Just so, contentment turns the bitter waters of Marah, into spiritual wine.

Contentment is a flower which does not grow in every garden.

You would think it were excellent, if I could prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty. Behold, here is that which is more excellent for a man to be poor, and yet have enough! Contentment teaches a man how to abound in the midst of poverty!

Have I but little? Yet it is more than I deserve.

Do I meet with some crosses? My comfort is, if they are heavy I have not far to go!

My cross is light in comparison with the weight of glory.

Has God taken away my comforts from me? It is well the Comforter still abides with me.

Thus contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition.

Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort; it puts vinegar into every mercy; it doubles every cross. But the contented spirit sucks sweetness from every flower of providence. Contentment is full of consolation.

Contentment is a remedy against all our troubles, an alleviation to all our burdens, the cure of to every worry.

As medicine works disease out of the body so contentment works trouble out of the heart. Holy contentment keeps the heart from fainting. Contentment is the golden shield, which beats back all discouragements.

Contentment, though it is not properly a grace (it is rather, a disposition of mind,) yet in it there is a happy mixture of all the graces. Contentment is a most precious compound! The ingredients put into it are faith, patience, meekness, humility, etc.

Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things.  But the contented Christian is joyful in the lack of all things! He may have little in the world yet be perfectly content.

O the rare art, or rather miracle of contentment!

A Christian finds contentment distilled out of the breasts of the promises. He is poor in purse but rich in promise. There is one promise which brings much sweet contentment into the soul: "Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10) If the thing we desire is good for us we shall have it. If it is not good then the not having is good for us. The resting satisfied with the promise, gives contentment.

[Thomas Watson]

Philippians 4:11 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Timothy 6:8 ... And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.❤

Oh It Is a Sweet and Holy Life!

Learn to be content with your present lot, with  God's dealings with you, and His disposal of you.

You are just where His providence has, in its  inscrutable, but all wise and righteous decision, placed you. It may be painful, irksome, trying  position, but it is right. Oh yes, it is right!

Strive, then, to live a life of daily dependence upon  God. Oh it is a sweet and holy life! It saves  from many a desponding feeling, from many a corroding care, from many an anxious thought, from many a sleepless night, from many a tearful eye, and from many an imprudent and sinful scheme.

Thus you shall walk with God through this  valley of tears, until you exchange sorrow for joy, suffering for ease, sin for purity, labor for rest, conflict for victory, and all earth's chequered, gloomy scenes for the  changeless, cloudless happiness and glory of heaven!

[Octavius Winslow]

Psalm 31:15 ...  My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.❤

Worldly Ease and Prosperity

How plainly I see that worldly ease and prosperity do not help the children of God. Covet them not, I beseech you! How the creature steals the heart's best affections from God! But oh of this one thing I am assured--that when that is the case, our good and wise Father knows how to deal with His beloved children. He breaks their cisterns and destroys their gourds.

What a snare, too, to the believer, is the society of the ungodly. Our nature is so much more inclined to evil than to good, that we insensibly imbibe the poison, and it contaminates our whole spiritual being. Who could be enclosed in a sepulcher with a putrid corpse and not feel his health and strength and life decline? May the Lord in mercy preserve us!

None but God Himself is a satisfying Portion. Earth, with all its promised comforts, cannot do it.

[Mary Winslow]

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Proverbs 30:8-9 ... Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

1 Timothy 6:10-11 ... For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.❤