In Praise of God

The older I get, the more I notice that life’s changes and uncertainties increase with every passing year.  Now whether they actually increase, or simply seem to (because I don’t have the rest or stamina I used to have???), the result is the same:  I continually face the daily/hourly/moment-to-moment challenge of glorifying God in times of change and uncertainty…and even in the fear which too often accompanies such seasons.

And so, I have recently been thinking about contentment.  This evening, as I began reading chapter 11 of The Art of Divine Contentment by the Puritan Thomas Watson, he immediately brought to my attention a most wonderful and encouraging insight, quite worthy of further meditation.  In the excerpt below, I’ve emphasized the thoughts which stood out so strongly to my heart.

“A contented Christian carries heaven about [with] him: for, what is heaven, but that sweet repose and full contentment that the soul shall have in God?  In contentment there are the first fruits of heaven. There are two things in a contented spirit, which make it like heaven.

(1.) God is there; something of God is to be seen in that heart. A discontented Christian is like a rough tempestuous sea; when the water is rough you can see nothing there; but when it is smooth and serene, then you may behold your face in the water. (Pr. 27:19) When the heart rageth through discontent, it is like a rough sea, you can see nothing there, unless passion and murmuring; there is nothing of God, nothing of heaven in that heart: but by virtue of contentment, it is like the sea when it is smooth and calm, there is a face shining there; you may see something of Christ in that heart, a representation of all the graces.

(2.) Rest is there. O what a Sabbath is kept in a contented heart! What a heaven! A contented Christian is like Noah in the ark; though the ark were tossed with waves, Noah could sit and sing in the ark. The soul that is gotten into the ark of contentment, sits quiet, and sails above all the waves of trouble; he can sing in this spiritual ark; the wheels of the chariot move, but the axle-tree stirs not; the circumference of the heavens is carried about the earth, but the earth moves not out of its center. When we meet with motion and change in the creatures round about us, a contented spirit is not stirred nor moved out of its center. The sails of a mill move with the wind, but the mill itself stands still, an emblem of contentment; when our outward estate moves with the wind of providence, yet the heart is settled through holy contentment; and when others are like quicksilver, shaking and trembling through disquiet, the contented spirit can say, as David, “O God my heart is fixed:” (Ps. 57:7) 

What is this but a piece of heaven?”

While Watson’s thoughts have both excited and encouraged my heart, they have also added a wonderful implication to 1 Timothy 6:6–

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Graduation ceremonies abound this time of year! You can even see them on the news right now!! This past Saturday I attended the graduation ceremony at my children’s school. Because my children go to a small Christian school, we know most of the high schoolers pretty well, and it is especially meaningful to watch them grow and go out in to the world. My own son is a junior this year, so I watched and listened this year with extra interest, knowing that it would be my family celebrating this time next year.

This ceremony was different than the ones I’ve seen clips from on the evening news. Our students were not encouraged to “reach for the sky” or to “follow their dreams.” Rather, the speaker exhorted them to be submissive.

He explained that this was not a popular concept in the world today, but if they would be submissive to the Lord, then they would be successful in their next phase of life–whether that be college, a job or military service. He gave them sound Biblical advice on being a good student, employee or soldier, and he explained that putting the Lord’s ways first would indeed make them successful.

I thought he gave them very good advice and that it was applicable to all of us in the audience that day. I look forward to watching those young adults and hearing from them in the future.

O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.  Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works.  Psalm 104:24, 31, 34

As a mommy of three, I have been recently amazed at the raw joy, hearts of worship and innocent awe toddlers can have about creation.  This weekend we went to the beach and I watched as they ran down the beach with unbridled glee, splashing, looking amazed at the waves, as they collected treasures.  “OOOH!  Look at this Momma!”  My Elijah who’s almost four says to me repeatedly, followed quickly by, “What ‘dis?”  He has no idea what it is - he’s never encountered anything like it before, but somehow it’s awe-inspiring to him (to us it’s a wet yucky piece of driftwood or a squishy sea cucumber.)

When did I get too old to gasp in wonder at what God does?

Lord, teach me to notice Your greatness, change my rituals to worship, and teach my heart to stand again in awe of all You are and all You do.

The Proverbs study (third edition) is now back from the printer and available.  The updated Teacher/Leader Guide will be available this summer for fall studies.