Contentment

Simon Price | 10:54, Saturday, 23 October 2010

In reading, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs, I came across this great quote;

‘As it is with a vessel that is full of liquor, if you strike it, it will make no great noise, but if it is empty then it makes a great noise; so it is with the heart, a heart that is full of grace and goodness within will bear a great many strokes, and never make any noise, but if an empty heart is struck it will make a noise. When some men and women are complaining so much, and always whining, it is a sign that there is emptiness in their hearts. If their hearts were filled with grace they would not make such a noise.’ (p.77, Banner of Truth, 1987).

I always find reading in preparation to preach an uncomfortable process. God’s Word challenges and confronts, piercing my soul and discerning the thoughts and intentions of my heart (Hebrews 4.12). In so much of life, not least my approach to money, I am quick to complain and whine before God, dissatisfied in God’s work and provision. That means that the empty vessel that is my heart when ‘struck’ makes much noise, as anyone who knows me well will tell you.

So I pray daily for the Spirit to fill me with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him in every way (Colossians 1.9,10).  In other words, I pray for the grace of the Lord Jesus to transform me, thrill me, teach me and train me to trust in God, his ways and purposes, as I follow him; content that he is good and that all he does is good.