“CONTENTMENT” DAY OF THE LORD MARCH 14, 2023

PHILIPPIANS 4:19

19. And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amp.

DEFINITIONS

Content -D) Happy enough with what one has; satisfied.

Peace -D) an undisturbed state of mind, serenity.

Serene -D) clear, unclouded sky, undisturbed, quiet calm.

We all know this verse and quote it quite a bit. When you read all the verses leading up to it, there might be more to learn. Here is a condensed list:

11. I have learned to be content.

12. I am instructed (learned God’s voice) both:

12. to be full and to be hungry,

12. to abound and suffer need.

13. I can do all things through Christ,

13. Through Him who infuses inner strength to me.

13. I am sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.

19. My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory. KJV

I believe the whole chapter 4 of Philippians points us in the direction of receiving God’s provision. We must not skip any of the steps or we may not receive all that He has for us. The Lord is always wanting us to abound and give us more than we need. If we do not have enough, it is always our fault.

I am not going over verses 4-9 though they are very important. We have gone over them many times before. We must pray and be thankful, without fretting, letting peace guard our hearts while we rejoice focusing on purity.

The main point Paul is making in the rest of the chapter is to be content. He had to learn to be content. He said he was instructed. I believe he learned from the Holy Spirit and learned His voice. Then he went through fasting and trials as he learned.

When the flesh rules, it drives you to want more than you need and is not easily satisfied. But when the Holy Spirit rules we are satisfied. We learn what is really important gradually as the flesh is subdued. When the Holy Spirit is in control our priorities change. Self takes the back seat and comes last.

When self gives up control things change. We come into a place of contentment because we do not have to choose for ourselves anymore. We let Him lead the way and peace rules. When it does not matter anymore is when He supplies you with more than you need.

This does not mean Satan will never attack again. It means we are learning God’s ways of contentment. If we are content with what He gives, we will follow on the path He sets for us. We are striving for that serene undisturbed sky. This is the rest He wants for us. Then He can give us what is right for us and there will be no idolatry because He is the key to contentment.

There is nothing that can satisfy like God’s love. When His love comes to rule it brings so much contentment with it. There is nothing better. You want to please Him more than self. That is when you learn to follow. His love leads us gently on.

We come to the place where we are ready for anything because of the inner strength He gives to us. This is the key for surviving the last days. Men’s heart will fail them for fear because they do not have the inner strength for what is coming upon this world.

We must learn contentment to survive.

🎶 SONGS – SO GOOD – BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE – JESUS YOUR MY EVERYTHING – PHIL DRISCOLL