PSALM 13:1, 6 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
THEME OF THE DAY. CONTENTED SHEEP. There are many negatively pervasive attitudes defining our culture and seeking to infiltrate the lives of God’s people and His church. Three quickly come to my mind. First is complaining. We live in a society of complainers. It doesn’t take long each day before we encounter some form of complaining. In might be in our family relationships, but it will certainly be on the job and through social media and news outlets.
Another attitude that might not be as prevalent as complaining, but I believe is widespread is the lack of personal character in the forms of self-control and self-discipline. We may call this laziness, inability to wait, or refusing to exercise restraint when it comes to having things we want. Whatever we label it, we may see this fleshed out in the unbridled immorality especially sexual promiscuity that is rampant across the land.
A third negative attitude common in our society is the theme implied in today’s nugget – discontentment. A common dictionary definition of discontentment is “a lack of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.” Just watch a little, not much for our soul’s health, television and watch how advertisers prey on the discontent of people. And perhaps nothing reveals this pervasive attitude more than the amount of debt people incur to have things now, and the constant need for “new” whether phone upgrades, computers, vehicles, homes, clothing, and sadly, even relationships. When it comes to the life of a Christian, all three of these attitudes are conquered in the Lord Jesus.
First, there is no warrant ever to complain about anything for all things are from Him, to Him, and for Him (Romans 11:36). A complaining Christ is one who says, “I don’t like Your will for me, Lord Jesus.”
As for the sinful attitudes and actions of no self-control and self-discipline, these too are overcome by the Lord Jesus. Our union with Him ensures we don’t have to be a slave to any sin. The Apostle Paul writes, “Sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14). Why? Paul would earlier in the same chapter give us that answer – We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6). Our oneness in Christ allows us to say “no” to all sin. Should we give into sin by a lack of self-control and self-discipline, it is always a choice we make. Jesus is enough to keep us from the power of sin enslaving us.
Then, the sinful attitude of discontent. Today’s scripture is straight to the point – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). The sin of discontent tells the Lord Jesus, “You are not enough to satisfy my longings, my desires, my wants, and my needs. I need something or someone else.” However, what David clearly states is the Lord is enough – always. The Shepherd not only guides His sheep but satisfies, or makes content His sheep. Is He doing that for you? For me? One of the greatest displays of the Lord Jesus to a watching world is His sheep living life not complaining, exercising self-control in an out of control world, and living contented with His providence in our lives. May He help us to shine as lights in all three areas for His glory and our good.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to always be content in all things with the sufficiency of Your Son.”
QUOTE: “Jesus will always be enough for every need, desire, and want a Christian will ever have.”