Consider yourself. Do you get that “grass is greener” feeling that causes discontent to take root? Things seem to be going along fine in our lives until we see how richly the Lord has chosen to bless someone else. Stirrings begin. “Why not me, Lord?” These feelings of dissatisfaction with our lot in life can strike us at any and all ages.
A student may feel a need to cheat on a test on the excuse that God just didn’t give her the abilities in a certain area. For this temptation our Lord advises: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 5:1).
A Christian in his middle years, who has been working hard all his life, may feel disatisfied when he sees the power, pleasure, wealth, and influence that the people of the world enjoy. Yet the Lord reminds him, “In the morning they are like grass which flourishes and grows up; in the evening it is cut down and withers” (Psalm 90:6).
An elderly widow wonders why she must suffer heartache and health problems in her golden years. To this the Spirit assures her, “And the Lord, He is the One . . . He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or do not be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Our Lord and Savior came to earth to pay our debt, which we could not pay. He earned for us His riches, which we did not desire. Now all of heaven lies before us, and the Lord will provide all that we need for the journey, including contentment. “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).
-- From the Lutheran Spokesman |
