“Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention. Proverbs 17:1 AMP
Are you content? Contentment is one of those thigs that seem to elude us constantly. The Hebrew word translated “quietness” is the word meaning “to be in a condition or state of feeling safe: A state or condition of satisfaction in one’s life implying a state of prosperity.” WOW! What a description of the state of being saved! You see the world is trying to convince people that having “things” or “wealth” is really being prosperous. Nothing could be further from the truth! The Scripture paints a vastly different view of being prosperous. The question then we must ask is, “What will it take to be satisfied?”
We see Adam and Eve in a perfect position of prosperity. They had direct fellowship with God and even face to face encounters with Him. Yet, the enemy was able to plant a thought in their mind that were missing out on something! Once sin entered the equation, things got a lot harder. We must remember that before the cross we loved in the desires of the flesh. What the flesh wanted the flesh got, no matter the cost. The scripture is clear about this point:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (perversely) effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior].”
1 Corinthians 6:10:11 AMP
Once we accept the reality of the sin battle, we must choose to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires that drove us into the hands of the enemy. I distinctly remember the day God delivered me from the drugs. That morning when I awoke it was like the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders. There was a tangible peace washing over my soul that was like nothing I could ever remember. Now, the battle begins. For the next few months God challenged me to take authority over the remaining sin that was still very much present and fighting to regain control. Shortly after my conversion I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I was very angry with God that He would fix me only to let me die. It was during that time that God drove home the reality of salvation. “Am I enough for you now regardless of the circumstances or do you think that this is a game?” “Do you truly believe that at the end of the road I am waiting for you?” I remember finally surrendering to God and accepting the reality of my death and His promise. It was at that point that He led me to Psalms 40:
“I waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps, and establishing my path. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] And will trust confidently in the LORD”
Psalms 40:1-2 AMP
That week I was told by the doctors that there must have been a mistake in my blood work because now it is normal! From that day forward I have tried my best to be satisfied and find rest in who He is! Does that mean I still do not struggle? Of course not. It does however mean that every day, in every way, I am becoming more Christlike in my life. There are still those moments that I see the wicked proper and think about how much more “stuff” or “money” I could have but then I remember the chaos and death that goes along with it.
Let me ask you today. If God never pours out another blessing upon your life, is the fact that your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life? From the cradle to the grave the flesh will seek to control our behavior. We see that clearly today as those without Christ try every imaginable thing to find peace and security. Jesus said it best,
““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].”
Matthew 11:28 AMP
Let’s make 2024 a year of obedience and satisfaction in the Lord! I would encourage you,
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near.”
Isaiah 55:6 AMP
Have a satisfied and blessed day in Christ! Pastor Ken