May 1, Contentment

Today’s reading: Psalms 1-5

“Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’ Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound” - Psalm 4:6-7.

It seems that David’s generation was similar to every generation, in that people were seeking prosperity by any and every means possible. David was countering their materialistic pursuits with a declaration that God was enough for him. Let’s look at Eugene Peterson’s translation called The Message to get his insight into this passage: “Why is everyone hungry for more? ‘More, more,’ they say. ‘More, more.’ I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.” In other words, David was content in the Lord. Paul also learned about contentment when he wrote, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:8). Are you content with what you have or are you frantically working to get more? Are you in debt to maintain a particular lifestyle or are you living within your means, with enough to be generous toward others? Where is your source of joy — things or the Lord? Father, I have fallen into the “more” syndrome, thinking that things will make me happy. Things have not made me happy; they have just made me hungry for more things! Forgive me for seeking satisfaction in things that will pass away. From this point on, I will seek my joy in eternal things and trust you for the material things. Amen.