“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, KJV).
Many of us memorized those words as children. And many of us may have thought, “Wow! That means, God will give us whatever we want!”
So we prayed for new bicycles, the latest gadgets, and swimming pools in our backyards—absolutely certain that if God gave us these heart desires, we’d be completely satisfied.
Some of our prayers were answered affirmatively. A new bicycle with sparkling spokes actually materialized under the Christmas tree. Or Aunt Louise heard the pleas for Mattell’s Magical Music Thing, and sent it as a birthday gift.
But the wise and introspective among us may have realized early on that:
1. When one desire is fulfilled, another quickly takes its place.
Years ago I heard that a famous actress had accumulated seven houses, each one decorated differently from the others. Why? Because changing locations eased her boredom. ( I wonder how long after each home was completed she decided to purchase another?)
2. God isn’t in the business of making wishes come true.
Some desires become reality; some do not. If he did provide our every whim, we’d become spoiled and self-centered.
So how are we to make sense of David’s introductory statement? It sounds like a whopping exaggeration. “I’m one of God’s flock! I’m gonna live on Easy Street!”
Hardly. David is saying, “God is my loving Care-Giver. What I enjoy in my relationship with him far outweighs anything else this world has to offer. I really don’t want. Another. Single. Solitary. Thing.”
Now there’s an attitude of devotion to cultivate! How can we become that contented?
One place to begin is with gratitude and praise.
Think of all we enjoy as a result of our relationship with God. Peace, joy, and provision, quickly come to mind.
Here are a few more:
- Companionship with a perfect Friend—every moment of every day–into eternity. He is always listening, always watchful, always diligent.
- Hope. No situation is beyond the abilities of our Almighty God.
- Settledness, because he is in control, and “makes good things even out of hard times” (Erica Hale).
- Truth. We don’t have to muddle through life like a do-it-yourselfer with no instruction manual. “The unfolding of [God’s] words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).
The truth of the matter comes down to this:
No possession or position, no person, and no place will fill our hearts with satisfaction.
Peaceful, joyful contentment is the outcome of one determination: affirming that in God we have all we need.
Perhaps Jesus was teaching us the way to contentment when he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Are you weary of the dissatisfaction that results from striving for the next desire? Are you burdened by unfulfilled wishes and dreams?
Come to Jesus. Count the scores of blessings he has already provided in the past, is currently providing this very moment, and has already prepared in the glory of heaven yet to come!
Rest in contented gratitude and praise–free from want.
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What helps you rest in contented gratitude? Please share in the Comments section below!
(Photo credit: www.kingjamesbible.org.)
From the Inside Out 
I don’t think I will ever here on earth. I always want more but it is to be a blessing to someone else. God gave us a new mobile home including new appliances but I want a bigger home to house to house people who are falling on hard times. I want more food to make good dishes for potluck dinners, more gas to get people to doctors appointment, more money to pay a bill for an elderly person. I think it’s ok to want more if for the right reason. When I get to heaven then and only then will I be truly content.
OH, Nancy, I love your heart! May God bless you with MUCH so that your desire to bless others might come to fruition. And you’re right. We won’t know complete contentment until we’re home in heaven with Jesus!
What is helping me right now is keeping a “Good Gifts” book where I write down the good gifts I notice throughout my day that are from the Lord. Every so often I look back through it and can remember. I am listing them all in succession in each day. Right now I’m on 301 gifts. 🙂
That IS a spirit-strengthening discipline. No doubt, as you read the record, your contentment in life is increased. Recently I reached 1000 entries in a blessings journal I’ve kept for over thirty years. In order to “qualify” for this list, the event has to be special in some way. I marvel that God has touched my life remarkably, even a bit miraculously, over 1000 times! Keeping count surely does contribute to contentment. Thank you for your input!
Wow! That’s wonderful! That is my goal to reach 1000. I hope I can fit all that in my little notebook I have. heehee. I think I can. 🙂
Notebook 1 & 2 will work, too! (I’m using looseleaf!)
P.S. Loved this! “Peaceful, joyful contentment is the outcome of one determination: affirming that in God we have all we need.” I have all I need in God!
What a blessing to know when a post touches someone’s heart. Thank you!
I love what David is saying “God is my loving Care-Giver. What I enjoy in my relationship with him far outweighs anything else this world has to offer. I really don’t want. Another. Single. Solitary. Thing.” The ‘happy’ feeling of buying or receiving something new is temporary. We will always want more. But it is JOY that we are really craving and needing in order to be a credible witness for our Lord and Savior. JOY that shines through our hearts for all to see! You are so right, Nancy, when you said “Peaceful, joyful contentment is the outcome of one determination: affirming that in God we have all we need.”
Oh, yes. JOY is the attitude to foster! So honored you found the post meaningful, Cheri.
Wanting and wanting more is fruitless. God’s will and timing is enough for me. Nancy, I think it is wonderful you have a list of a thousand blessings. Thinking on those creates a peace. I am grateful for all God has done for me. He has given me peace and hope. God bless you.
Oh, yes, God’s peace for today and hope for tomorrow and two of his most precious gifts! Thank you, Laura for your insight.
Peaceful, joyful contentment is the outcome of one determination: affirming that in God we have all we need – love this statement. Lately I seem to be very grateful for so many blessings. I told God this morning I think my most said prayer is “Thank you.” yet the world continue to distract and draw my eyes to its bangles… i think will be a lifelong struggle.
It’s the struggle that makes us snuggle (!)–a little closer to God, that is, as we recognize again and again how much we need him. I’m right with you, Jean!