Contentment #6—Challenged Contentment

He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

While we need to be content when we are in the presence too much, we also need to be content when we encounter situations which threaten to deprive us of what we have. Persecution and deprivation test the reality and genuineness of our faith, which is more precious than gold. The threat to strip us of what we value in this world is Satan’s attempt to cause us to disbelieve God’s willingness or ability to deliver on his promises, so that we “worship and serve the creature, rather than the Creator.” Wisdom dictates that we look back to Gethsemane, the cross, and the empty tomb. They prove God’s ability and willingness to do whatever is necessary to put us in a position to experience his love and grace forever. Convinced of this we will not grumble or complain as the Israelites did on the way to Sinai. Nor will we be like Demas and leave the faith because we love the temporal pleasures of the world. Instead, we will be like Job who blessed God when he stripped him of everything he owned, or like Ecclesiastes, who said, “God made the day of adversity.” Or, ultimately, like Jesus who set an example for us when he suffered: “He did not utter threats, but committed himself to the One who judges justly.”

This is the day you have made, O Lord. When it seems more full of the adversary than of you, I find it difficult to be content. Bring to mind Christ’s life and death, so I will rest in the certainty of your future grace.