Fully Satisfied
Day 27: Freedom To Experience Contentment
[9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
[10] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
[11] You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (ESV)
Psalm 16:9–11
Are you content?
Do you think God wants you to feel content right now?
What keeps us from contentment?
Maybe we think that contentment will lead to complacency or laziness. Maybe we keep putting it off for the future: “I’ll be content when…” Maybe we don’t think God really wants good things for us in this life. Maybe we have such high expectations and entitlements that nothing will ever please us. Maybe we just don’t feel like loving God today.
Today’s freedom challenge is good news: God wants you to be fully content today.
Contentment comes from the thought: I have enough. I am satisfied. I have no unmet needs. In this life, no matter how much we eat, we get hungry again. No matter how much we sleep, we get tired again. No matter how much we save, we know we could lose everything in difficult circumstances. How can we ever be content? We need to understand the supernatural, invisible reality of abundance.
Every good thing comes from God. God invented all good things. God is the Author of every good meal, every loving relationship, every meaningful thought. If He invented it all, He Himself must be completely good and satisfying in every way. Let your desire for good things drive you to the Source. Don’t get distracted and settle for lesser things. Exclusivity is the key: only God is truly satisfying, so repent of looking for it elsewhere.
Jesus is enough because He is delightful and satisfying in every way. In Christ, you become an heir of God. You inherit everything, just as Jesus inherits everything. Jesus inherits everything because He created it all and He redeemed it (bought it back from slavery) with His blood.
Don’t let discontent continue for one more minute in your life. That toxic poison is the enemy’s tool to steal your joy, and dry up your relationship with God. A content person is a powerful person, because true contentment comes from God’s power alone.
Gracious God and Father, please show me how to enjoy Jesus today. Let me experience His presence with me so that I can be fully and uninhibitedly content. I repent of wanting something other than Jesus to fill my deepest needs for love, purpose, and worth. Thank you that you delight in me, and my life matters to you. Free me from self-hatred, selfish ambition, and vain conceit that block my contentment in You. Thank you for making me your beloved child, your heir, and your bride.
TL;DR Summary:
Day 27. Freedom To Experience Contentment
Lie: You can’t get no satisfaction in this life.
Truth: God is fully satisfying, now and for eternity.
World’s Pattern: Strive to find satisfaction in created things like food, drink, pleasure, power, or money. God is not going to provide you with satisfaction—you have to find it yourself.
Kingdom Pattern: Because God made you, He knows what will satisfy you. Look at the cross of Jesus if you doubt God’s goodness and kindness. Repent and receive all the joy and satisfaction that God has for you, now and forever.
For Further Study: Read Psalm 16
Where is your safe refuge? There is only one safe refuge in the universe: the cross of Jesus Christ. Start your study by repenting of any other refuge you have hoped in: yourself, other people, control, or your achievements.
Do you believe that all the good in the world is found in God? Only God is completely good. God defines good. God invented every good thing. Worship God for His goodness. Satan is a counterfeit—he can only offer you a substitute for the real thing that God is offering you.
Following another “god” will lead to destruction and misery (verse 4). Have you ever experienced self-hatred? Is it possible that you hate yourself because you failed to meet a standard or expectation that came from a false god? The One True God does not want you to hate yourself, but to see yourself as made in His image. He values your worship and loyalty. You can please Him with your faith in Jesus (Hebrews 11).
Do you struggle with negativity? How does this psalm demonstrate that God is working, winning, and worthy? What kind of hope is God offering you today? Stop negative thoughts quickly with the truth of God’s abundant generosity and presence with you.
For more on contentment, watch this podcast:
Would you like to accelerate your spiritual growth? Please consider biblical counseling as a wonderful way to encounter God in a safe, healing space, guided by His Word and the Holy Spirit.