CONTENT, DISCONTENT---- W.F. BELL

Proverbs 30:12-16; Jeremiah 31:14; Matthew 11:28

The current edition of Free Grace Broadcaster (Fall, 2010) is entirely devoted to the subject of "Contentment." It is filled with excellent, practical help on why we are often discontent, and why we must be content in Christ. This is an important, though much-neglected subject. Note how calmness, contentment, and a holy satisfaction are promised to God's children: "My people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:14). "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children" (Isaiah 54:13). "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). These are all positive declarations, with no conditions attached whatever!

But men are depraved in sin and deprived of grace by nature. We grovel in the muck and mire of this world, making us discontent with life and with God. Our hearts are dead and unfruitful, alienated from our Creator, and in rebellion against him. As C. H. Spurgeon has so wisely observed: "Very few of the sons of men are ever satisfied, let their lot be what it may; they have swallowed the horse-leech, and it continually cries, 'Give! give!' (Proverbs 30:15). Only sanctified souls are satisfied souls. God himself must both convert us and content us." No wonder Proverbs 30:16 goes on to tell us of the "four things" that are "never satisfied" -- "the grave, the barren womb, the earth, the fire." These four are "discontent" indeed.

And what of you and I? Do we not sorely need this lesson? Covetousness is rampant in America and across the world. Greed has so gripped us, idolatry has so ensnared us, and lusts have so conquered us, that we seem to be insensible of our true condition. Teach this to people, and they get angry with you immediately. None of us like to be told we are "pure in our own eyes, yet not washed from our filthiness," or that we have "lofty eyes" (Proverbs 30:12-13). This is why our land is filled with cursers, blasphemers, and grumblers. This is the cause of our political and social unrest. This is why so many marriages are on the meltdown, and why there are so many divorces today, even among those who have been married for many years.

There is absolutely no answer to all of this "discontentment with life" but the free grace of God! Only "the precious blood of Christ" can loose us and wash us from our sad "dissatisfaction." Hear the blessed counsel of our Savior: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). You need go to no other Counselor, for his counsel is always free, and always effectual. His is true rest, true joy, true peace, that "None but Zion's children know."