I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
It does us well to be reminded, that whatever we may enjoy or disdain in this life comes directly from the hand of God combined with both His love and purpose in mind. And He desires for us to have great contentment in what His mighty hand allows. Ouch. We do not want to kick against His best for our lives – even in the hard.
We so often think we know better than He, Who makes known the “end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come,” as the Prophet Isaiah tells us. As believers in Christ Jesus, we are given the power to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel in a way which is unearthly in its nature - in everything that is allowed in our lives – everything. He is in control of all things and no plan of His can be thwarted. He loves us with an everlasting love and He is not evil, stingy, heartless, haphazard, fickle, unkind or whatever else one might want to add. Rather, He is loving and tender and desires for all of us to come to Him, wooing us with His great mercy and grace. It is He Who empowers us to be conformed into the image of His Son and all that He allows points to this. Apart from Him we are cowering creatures doomed for destruction. Only in Jesus is there life and life to the full. And God desires for all of us to be like Jesus.
Our confidence in Him strengthens and fuels our faith. And strong faith fills us with courage and fortitude in lieu of carnal fear and despondency. Our trust is not in self rather in God. This certainty enables us to extinguish the base fears of man. If the Lord is our strength and trust, He will most assuredly be our song. And in this is great contentment, something the world cannot give. The world is always desirous of more and more and is never fully satisfied but with Jesus, He is our Source of satisfaction and strength. It is He Who enable us to embrace with joy all He allows knowing that He is working in “this”, even “this” something amazing. He does not waste anything, particularly our suffering and pain. He is a Master of making beauty out of all of our ashes as Isaiah tells us.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.** Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)**