Strength In Contentment
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
People sure do love to read that last verse out of context. A football player scores a touchdown; “I can do all things.” Someone gets a promotion at work; “I can do all things.” Or maybe a friend decides to start a small business and follow their dreams; they can do all things through Christ. Surely, this verse has served to be a blanket blessing on whatever we set ourselves to. Now, no doubt the Lord strengthens us through Christ in all things; that is not under dispute. But, when Paul wrote these words, his outlook was not so bright. He did not just land a promotion. Nor did he decide to follow his dreams and start that tent-making business he always wanted to. Nope, he was in prison. That is not even the half of it! In Second Corinthians 11, Paul recounted all the beatings, trials, and dangers he suffered at the hands of those who opposed the Gospel. So, in Philippians 4, Paul has in mind not just all the good in life, but also life’s absolute worst. What is the key to Paul’s suffering and abounding? That answer: contentment.
In the 17th century, an English puritan pastor by the name of Jeremiah Burroughs defined contentment in this way: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” This definition is beautiful, and it is a lot to take in all at once. But, it is important for us to wrestle with. Why can Paul be content amidst both good and bad circumstances? Because He knew in whom his strength was, and he knew for whom His life was. Paul lived, suffered, and experienced blessing for God and His purposes, and Christ was his strength every step of the way. Paul was content because He knew the all-wise God had purposes for every condition in which he found himself. To God’s wise and perfect will, Paul lovingly submitted himself.
Oh, what blessedness we might find if we could be but content in our time? If we will quote verse 13, let us also quote the whole context. Paul could submit to suffering because He knew the goodness of God. Can we freely submit to this current quarantine because we know God has good purposes for it? Even if we contract COVID-19, can we submit to God’s purposes in that and still say: I can be content, even in this, for I know from whom my life, strength, and satisfaction come. The Lord will lead all of us through sufferings that seem as if they have no end. Will you be content? Will you say: the Lord’s hand is even in this? We serve a good and gracious God. Let us be content in Him.