From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #56-66
Lyrics
Lesson 60 Of 77
Divine Contentment
{See Lessons 19, 54, 61, 62, 69}
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Yahweh expects HIS worshipers to be CONTENT in whatever life situation they are in. Apostle Paul writes of two accounts referring to this mode of being. One account refers to combatting anxiety where he writes,
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[Phil 4:11]
Here, content is Gk #842 autarkes (ow-tar-kace) it means…
• self-complacent, which is…
o the state of being contented
o satisfaction and ease of mind
o the act of making contentedly satisfied
• contented which means satisfied and content, which as an adjective that means…
o satisfied with what one is and has
o not wanting more or anything else
o agreeing, assenting and willing
Divine CONTENTMENT is referring to that which one has with Yahweh as their ultimate desire. In another account Apostle Paul writes,
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.
[Heb 13:5]
Here, CONTENT is a verb Gk #714 arkeo (ar-keh-o) it means to ward off, avail and be satisfactory
Per this definition CONTENT means to fend off covetousness i.e., idolatry by BEING SATISFIED with Yahweh as one’s ULTIMATE PROVIDER, WHO promises never to leave or forsake them, because they put their trust in HIM. An unbelieving heart is revealed when one does not acknowledge Yahweh as such. An unbelieving heart also invokes idolatry, sorcery, and witchcraft, which always results in unfortunate circumstance even true death, which is eternal separation from THE LORD. What born-again believers must confidentially answer in all seasons of their life is the following.
1. Am I truly CONTENT with Yahweh alone?
2. Am I in full agreement with Yahweh and HIS will for my life?
Prophet Amos writes,
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
[Amos 3:3]
3. Is Yahweh truly the only GOD I worship?
THE LORD said through Moses,
Thou shalt have no other gods before ME.
[Exo 20:3]
4. Have I truly established Yahweh as the treasure of my heart or is there another I desire more?
History has shown that Yahweh does test the righteous regarding their genuine devotion to HIM. This was even so for Jesus the Christ. Apostle Matthew writes,
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
[Mt 4:1]
Apostle James writes,
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting <lacking> nothing.
[Jam 1:2-4]
Thus, CONTENTMENT is something that each one must establish in their own heart. It goes along with their personal responsibility to hallow THE HEAVENLY FATHER within their heart and seeking for HIS will to be done in their life. The Lord Jesus instructs His brethren to pray daily,
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY NAME.
THY kingdom come. THY will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[Mt 6:9, 10]
Thankfully, Yahweh empowers HIS sons to will and do according to HIS good pleasure. Apostle Paul writes,
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
[Phil 2:13]
This was so even with Christ before the final act of His Passion, Who expressed that while the righteous spirit is always willing to do Yahweh’s will, their mortal nature remains weak. He said,
O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as THOU wilt.
O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, THY will be done.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
[Mt 26:39, 41, 42]
So, then it is imperative for born-again believers to do as Christ did, along with many others who were under fire, to BE CONTENT in whatsoever state they were in per Yahweh’s will. Apostle Peter writes,
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to HIM in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
[I Pet 4:19]
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:
But the God of all grace, WHO hath called us unto HIS eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
[I Pet 5:6, 10]
One must be mindful that there is always a reason why Yahweh appoints seasons of testing for those HE favors. However, it will never be more than they can bare, and there will always be a way of escape presented at the proper time. Apostle Paul writes,
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, WHO will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
[I Cor 10:13]
Though He <Christ> were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;
[Heb 5:8]
The disciples of Christ were once bewildered about how everyday people can overcome anxiety to own excessive amounts of possessions, as these things tend to make one’s life more tolerable. Blessedly, Christ did address this issue, which if not checked, can both hinder them from nurturing a favorable relationship with Yahweh and cause them to forfeit eternal riches.
He said,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth; where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore, take no thought saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[Mt 6:19-21, 24, 31-33]
In times of testing, it is comforting to know that THE LORD is able to make good fortune come one’s way. Apostle Paul writes,
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work:
[II Cor 9:8]
Yahweh does want HIS children to prosper and be self-sufficient, so they can better enjoy their mortal lifetime and be able to bless others. Apostle Paul writes,
(As it is written, HE hath dispersed abroad: HE hath given to the poor: HIS righteousness remaineth forever.
Now HE that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgivings to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
[II Cor 9:9-12]
Those who wholeheartedly worship THE LORD must keep in mind that HE is their protection, compensation, life and lifetime. THE LORD said to Abram what is applicable to all who wholeheartedly worship HIM,
I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
[Gen 15:1b]
That thou mayest love THE LORD THY GOD, and that thou mayest obey HIS voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto HIM: for HE is thy life, and the length of thy days:
[Deut 30:20a]
The sons of God must keep in mind that only in THE LORD does anyone live, move, and have their being. Apostle Paul said,
For in HIM we live, and move, and have our being;
[Acts 17:28a]
The righteous are to be confident that upon completion of their one mortal lifetime, that Yahweh has prepared a glorious and eternal lifetime for all who transition to immortality in righteousness. The New Testament notes,
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
[Heb 9:27]
The Lord Jesus said,
The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
[Lk 20:34-38]
The Elect of God are not to judge their own or another’s quality of life and living upon what and how much they attain in temporal possessions during their mortal lifetime .
While many do acquire an abundance of temporal possessions during their mortal lifetime, they will surely inherit The Second Death if they fail to acquire spiritual riches in God. The Lord Jesus said,
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
[Lk 12:15]
Apostle John writes,
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know HIM that is true, and we are in HIM that is true, even in HIS Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
[I Jn 5:20, 21]
Being enlightened of this truth let, the wise live in Divine Contentment, which is available to all souls through faith filled obedience to Christ the Word, Who said,
If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
[Jn 8:12, 23, 36]
I come that they <the sheep of Yahweh’s flock> might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
[Jn 10:10b]
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.
[Jn 14:6]
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