FINDING DEEP CONTENTMENT IN GOD

Psalm 131:1-3 says, "My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." Psalm 131 is a short three-verse psalm written by King David that is part of the "Song of Ascents." King David focused on humility, contentment in God, and complete reliance on God. Although King David was a successful King of Israel, defeated many of his enemies, and captured many territories of Israel, his heart remained humble before God. He realized that His complete reliance on God brought victories and success in his life. He pictured himself as a child who had completed the transition from breastfeeding or bottle-feeding to consuming solid foods for his nourishment, and he was very content in his mother's embrace and presence. His hope was in God, not in his possessions, strength, or wisdom, and he wanted his people, Israel, to hope in God also. 

The three biggest signs of our spiritual maturity are our contentment, humility, and trust in God. We can find true contentment in God when we sincerely believe in our hearts that He is the one who cares for us and sustains us. He is the one who provides everything that we need. He is the one who saves us from our sins, blesses us with spiritual blessings, forgives our sins, and restores us from our failures and mistakes. When we understand who God is in our lives, we stop relying on ourselves, and we completely rely on Him each and every day. As a result, we do what He puts in our hearts, such as forgiving those He wants us to forgive and letting go of the things that God wants us to let go of. We begin to long for God's presence because we experience peace and contentment when we are walking close to Him. We feel secure when we are walking closer to Him, regardless of what is going on in our lives. Even when our world around us crumbles, we still have peace and joy in our hearts because our hope is completely fixated on God. 

Our contentment in life is completely related to our relationship with God. We must know and believe who God is in our lives in order for us to find contentment in Him, walk in humility before Him and others, and completely trust in Him and not in our own possessions, strength, and understanding. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I know and believe who God is in my life? Describe my relationship with God. How can I find deep contentment in my life?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, You are my God who cares and provides everything that I need. I don't have the right to boast or walk in arrogance because all that I have comes from You. The air that I breathe and the life that I have come from You. Please help me to release self-sufficiency but be content with Your presence and power that works within me, that I may find peace and joy in You. Please give me the hunger for Your presence in my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.