I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
–Philippians 4:11-13
During these hundred days of prayer, have you been feeling discontentment while waiting for God’s answer? Or have you learned, as Paul did, to be content? Dr. Snyder reminds us not to forget verse 19 of this chapter, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” He then goes on to say more about God’s timing.
“Deliverance may lie in the future. But whether what we want comes to us today or tomorrow, or many tomorrows from now, we can reach a balance and rest from the stress of it when we learn to find our place of security in him. In fact, this may be the purpose of the training period we’re going through right now.
“Soldiers in boot camp aren’t fully aware of what the rigors of training are preparing them for, but they find out later when they face the fierce heat of battle. Without that training, they would certainly perish.
“So hang in there. The story isn’t over. We are being trained to live a life that brings glory to God and great blessing to us, and we can do anything or go through anything if we know there’s a purpose to it. Does this mean that we stop praying or hoping for deliverance and rescue, for joy, peace, and abundance? No, we just realize that, at the proper time (hopefully soon!), God will bring to pass what we need and what he wants. Between now and then, we learn to be content in our discontentment.”
TODAY’S PRAYER; Alongside your prayer for the particular request that occupies this 100-day period, pray for the “interim gift,” the supernatural gift of contentment in the midst of want. God loves to grant it.
- God of the Last Minute - September 25, 2018
- Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 100 – A New Day - April 10, 2018
- Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 99 – The Final Chapter - April 9, 2018
