The Wilderness Journey to Contentment by Sara Beth
Philippians 4:11b
… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.
… for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.
… for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
… for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
LEARNED
– by use and practice
– by habit
– by hearing and being informed
- take My yoke and learn (Matthew 11:29)
- all that have learned of the Father, come to Me (John 6:45)
- what you have learned, received, heard, seen in Paul …. DO! (Philippians 4:9)
- continue in what you’ve learned and are assured of (2 Timothy 3:14)
- Jesus Christ learned obedience by suffering! (Hebrews 5:8)
THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY
- Deuteronomy 8:2, 11:7, 1:31, 2:7
– where things die without water and food
– where there are unseen enemies and dangers
– where pain wakes us up
– where we simplify to the bare necessities; the essentials. As time goes on, we get rid of every weight, distraction, and temptation. (Oregon Trail travelers got rid of pianos, stained -glass windows, and other items that got too heavy, or damaged, or impractical along the lengthy hazardous journey)
– where things get too heavy to carry
– where plans get too complicated to maintain
– where habits get too expensive to keep
– where ideas get too absurd to sustain
– where we become unshakeable in our faith and connection with God
– where we learn to savor the things of God
– where we grow in strength, fortitude, clarity, sharpness of mind, and endurance
– where we no longer focus upon comfort, nor what we can see now
– where we learn to trust God 100%
- Hebrews 11:25-40
TO BE CONTENT
– to be satisfied with enough
– to be ok with barely enough unfailing strength or provision
– it’s sufficient-enough to ward off the current danger of doubt, despair, offense, etc.
-When we’re content, we are NO LONGER striving, restless, discontent, covetous, loving the world, turned away from God, offended, entangled, enticed to turn aside, focused on riches, focused on positions of authority, nor other people’s opinions.
- References: Matthew 25:9, Luke 3:14, John 6:7, 14:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Timothy 6:8, Hebrews 13:5, 3 John 1:10
ABIDE WITH GOD
“Abide” means to dwell, reside, hang out, settle, occupy, stay, remain, continue, persevere, go the distance, stay the course, fall in with, consent to, adapt to, be in accordance with HOME! Jesus Christ the Son of God, IS OUR HOME.
- .. they that trust in the LORD shall Abide forever (Psalm 125:1)
- …everything that abides/withstands the fire … is clean (Numbers 31:23)
- … Abides forever (1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
- Through death to the worldly, much spiritual fruit is brought forth. Abide in the Light/Lord Jesus Christ. (John 12:24-26, 34, 46)
- Born Again. (1 Peter 1:23)
- children of God Abide forever (John 8:35-36)
- Abide via God’s Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 15:4-10)
- 2 Timothy 2:11-16
- Books of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John
- Psalms 15, 61, 91
- The LORD God abides forever. (Hebrews 7:3)
= Faith in the unseen power and promises of God. Jesus Christ comes alongside us, even when there is no human feeling of faith.
= Delivered from the Pit. Accept God’s will with hope.
= Part of the community Body of Jesus Christ. Others come alongside with empathy and exhortation to pray for and with you. (Romans 12:15)
= A manservant/handmaiden of God
•Grateful.
•Honoring & Rejoicing. (Philippians 4:4-7, James 3:17)
•Appropriate. (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 3:2, James 3:17, 1 Peter 2:18 )
•Obedient. do whatever God tells us to do. contact someone, connect with someone, pray for someone or something. do something.
•With no confidence in flesh (Philippians 3:3)
•With meekness (2 Corinthians 7:9)
•In persecution (1 Peter 4:13)
•In temptation (1 Peter 1:3-11)
TURN/RETURN TO GOD
- Turn to God! Return to His words. Love His instruction. Never forget Him. (Malachi 3:7)
- Else we bear our own sins. (1 Kings 14:9, Psalm 50:17, Ezekiel 23:35)
- Do not turn aside from following the LORD (1 Samuel 12:20-25)
- Do not rebel. Do not fear (Numbers 14:8-9)
- Learn to savor the things of God rather than the things of man. (Mark 8:33)
- Chapter 1 Thessalonians 5
- … haven’t run or labored in vain (Philippians 2:16)
HANNAH’S EXAMPLE:
Hannah turned to God amidst her bitterness of soul. Likewise, may our times of sorrow and despair be replaced with peace, contentment, thanksgiving, and exultant praise.
- References: 1 Samuel 1, and 1 Samuel 2:1-10)
