CONTENTMENT IN GOD ALONE

Ancient Jewish thought viewed wealth as a sign of God's favor. For example, God blessed Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon with many possessions. It is important to note that the reason God blessed them was because they were walking with Him. Their motivation for walking with God was to honor and glorify Him due to the kindness He had shown them, rather than seeking blessings from Him. Getting the blessings from God was not the goal. Micah 6:8 says, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (ESV). When the Israelites focused on the blessings, such as wealth and possessions, they ended up rebelling against God because they became materialistic. As a result, God had to discipline them and humble their hearts. God wanted His people to be content in Him alone, and not through the blessings that they could get from Him. 

God wants us to be content in Him alone and not through the things that we can get from Him. Many Christians walked away from God because their expectations of God's favor and blessings were not correct. They treated God's blessings as if they could work for them. However, God's blessings are favors from God. God's blessings are given freely to those who are solely content with Him. When we are content in Him alone, we follow God not because of what He can give us, but because we love Him. The apostle Paul exclaimed, "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ (Philippians 3:8)." Let us find contentment in God alone, rather than in His blessings. When we are satisfied in Him alone, we will experience the blessings of God that produce joy and peace that surpass all understanding.

God's blessings come not only from material possessions or from granting our desires, but rather from being at the center of His will. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What should be my focus in life? Why is it important to focus on my relationship with God rather than the blessings that He can provide for me? What lesson has God taught me in today's devotion? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that you are the giver of blessings, but I understand that I should seek to be content in you, rather than being content in the blessings that you give me. Please continue to work in my heart to learn to be content in you day by day. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.