Contentment
By Pastor Mark Wagner
We have gone through another bruising election cycle. Attack ads and counter-attack ads have filled our mailboxes and clogged the airwaves. People can be ruthless when it comes to getting and retaining power. And in the middle of this political war, we can be affected by the anger and resentment that comes with the political mudslinging.
I want you to stop with me for a moment and listen to David’s three-verse Psalm 131. It calls on us to change our approach to life and the world.
“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” These opening words challenge us not to be so full of ourselves or our own opinions. By now every news broadcaster will have told us what our votes meant in the election. I think that David’s words ought to give us pause about being full of our opinions. Have we left room for the Lord?
Listen. “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” There is a picture in these words. The child that is snuggled up against his/her mother and doesn’t have a care in the world. In a word, David is calling for contentment.
What is the secret? The Psalm ends with these words: “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Ultimately, our hope is in the Lord. He is the Sovereign over all. And while we have voted with the Lord in mind, and prayed for His will, in the final analysis we have chosen to live with contentment—because the Lord is in control. So, put your hope in the Lord – both now and forevermore!
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