HOW TO FIND CONTENTMENT
Opening Prayer
Lord, make me fully aware of just how good I have it here on earth.
Read PROVERBS 15:1–33
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!
12 Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Ask God to show you more of himself as the source of ultimate contentment.
In much of Proverbs, God’s involvement is implicit rather than explicit. Today’s reading references God on a number of occasions. If you have time, read the verses again and look for the ways in which God acts.
God sees (3); nothing escapes his notice. There is no impartiality; both the righteous and the wicked are open to his gaze. It is not just that God sees what we do. His scrutiny goes deeper (11)—our thoughts, motivations and deeper ambitions are fully known. Some of us recognize the fear that this engenders: the fear that God knows everything about us and will weigh in someday. This fear intensifies upon seeing that three times in this chapter God speaks of detesting certain behaviors (8,9,26), that he will tear down pride (25) and that he is far from the wicked (29).
Another theme, however, also runs through these verses, that of contentment (13–17), a contentment that has its roots in a healthy respect for God and a determination to live in his wisdom (33). The thought that God sees and knows now takes on a different complexion. God desires the best for his people. Wisdom will bring it. Those who desire God need have no fear (1 John 4:18), for he works for their good. Proverbs has only a limited understanding of this truth, but in Jesus, our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24,30), we have the full assurance that there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). As God works in our lives, we discover true contentment (Phil. 4:10–13). If God lays our thoughts bare, it is so that we might know him better. The only thing that interferes with this contentment is pride (25). If we come with humility, we can experience the true joy of a relationship with him.
Apply
Take time to confess any failure to God. Receive the assurance of his forgiveness and acceptance. Ask for strength to live a new life.
Closing prayer
Lord, I dread the silent entrance of unnoticed pride into my life. I am content to be Your humble servant and nothing more.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.