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The Vista of Contentment

The Vista of Contentment

Words of Faith 12-21-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 19:28 

       After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

 

       As Jesus ascended the steep hills between Jericho and Jerusalem the sun would have fallen lower behind the hills ahead in the west. Walking in the shadow of the hill ahead, the groups of pilgrims would have strung out a bit because of the steepness of the road.  The reciting of prayers and the Psalms familiar to this road would have grown softer.  Some would lose a bit of breath climbing at the higher altitude and quietness would settle in.  This Psalm of degrees was one of quiet contentment.

 

Psalm 131 A song of ascents. Of David. 

    My heart is not proud, O Lord,

        my eyes are not haughty;

    I do not concern myself with great matters

        or things too wonderful for me.

    [2] But I have stilled and quieted my soul;

        like a weaned child with its mother,

        like a weaned child is my soul within me.

     [3] O Israel, put your hope in the Lord

        both now and forevermore.

 

         Steep climbing at a higher altitude will definitely humble you.  This Psalm was perfect for this part of the journey.  In the Psalm, David describes his relationship with the Lord as one of complete contentment.  He affirmed that he had not been arrogant.  Pride is essentially independence from and disobedience to God.  David declared a complete dependence upon God.  Proud ambition and haughty eyes had not been his pursuit.

          David also testified to his humility. His soul was not disturbed by selfish ambition and passion. He had stilled and silenced his soul before God. Like a weaned child, no longer wanting his mother's milk, he was content without that which used to seem indispensable. A mature believer leaves the clamor of proud ambition and rests in the Lord.  David called for Israel to hope in the Lord forever. To trust in God is the antithesis of pride.      

          As Jesus moved closer to Jerusalem His humanity would have resonated very much with His ancestor David.  He was also on a unique journey of humility.  As the Son of God, He was, in very nature, equal to God, yet He had emptied Himself of the rights and trappings of being God to enter human existence.  He approached Jerusalem as a surrendered servant.  He was utterly humble before the Father.

          For us, there is a vista of contentment where we do not talk so much.  We are stilled and quieted before the Lord.  Our desire to fill the air with spiritual words is quelled and we are content simply to be in His presence.  It is a place where we no longer feel an obligation to "defend" God, argue our theology or impress anyone with our spirituality.  It is a place where we do not concern ourselves with great matters or "things too wonderful for me.”  It is a place where we have stilled and quieted the soul; like a weaned child with its mother.

           The weaned child no longer cries every few hours at the slightest sense of hunger or "unfulfillment.”  The weaned child rests in quiet trust.  The weaned child is able to go for a period of time without gratification.  The weaned child is learning that there is more to life than physical hunger.  The weaned child is learning to be content in the relationship to mother and father.  It is a powerful place for us, when we utterly trust the Father knowing that no matter what may happen, He is in charge and will take care of us.

 

           O God, Give me that place of contentment in You. Give me that place of complete trust in You to quietly walk with You or simply rest in Your presence.  Wean me from the need for immediate gratification.  Make my soul content to rest in You.  In Jesus' name.