True Contentment
BRD REFLECTIONS
Revelation 9 and Psalm 131 (NIV)
(Lau Lee Fang, Companions in Christ Facilitator, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
“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.” — Psalms 131:1-3 NIV
OBSERVE:
Being king, David could have in vanity and liberty pursued any matter for his curiosity, pleasure or indulgence.
In this psalm he showed otherwise, for he declares to GOD that he is not concerned with great matters or things too wonderful for him, but has calmed and quieted himself, and is now content like a weaned child. To be calmed and quieted would have been a process, perhaps a long one, but I surmise an intentional one that requires sacrificial discipline from David for him to arrive at this point.
Likely, David was concerned with great and wonderful things before, then sensed the need to discipline himself to be calm and quiet that resulted now in true contentment in GOD.
If a weaned child needs nursing no more and is contented, it would be reasonable to infer that his contentment comes from being with his mother. Therefore, David’s contentment here comes not from what he gets from GOD but from being with GOD: true contentment.
David’s intentional investment yielded divine interest.
APPLY:
What do I concern myself with that keeps me away from being calm and quiet before GOD?
I am burdened by many concerns that are within and sometimes outside my responsibility that keep me from being calm and quiet before GOD.
What can I do to find true contentment like David?
DO:
I will discipline myself to intentionally give time to be calm and quiet before GOD and just enjoy His presence, besides my devotion and prayers. I can begin with a short 2 minutes twice daily, then gradually build from there.
PRAY:
Grant, dear GOD, that my greatest desire be for You, in Your divine presence be my great contentment, for You may this life be lived, and to You be all glory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
