Contentment

Psalm 23:1-6

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

What a perfect picture of contentment!  It is also about the wonderful dynamics of a relationship between a Shepherd and His sheep.  What does the shepherd provide for the sheep?  Satisfaction......contentment.

Contentment doesn't mean that in life we won't or don't have desires for additional commodities or better relationships.  It means that those desires don't manage and control our lives.  In Psalm 23, the psalmist David tells us that although sheep sometimes wander, they never intentionally run away but they are completely satisfied in the care and protection (the rod and staff) of their shepherd.  "He maketh me to lie down in green patters; he leadeth me beside the still (quiet) waters.  He restoreth my soul..."  Contentment.  The psalmist also tells us that God had made him so secure that he can fearlessly walk through the shadow of death and dine in the presence of his enemies.   David is content and refers to his life as an overflowing cup.

The Lord is my Shepherd!

To be content is to be satisfied with God.

For more great words - www.myfatherssermons.blogspot.com