A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 By W. Phillip Keller – Chapter 2 Reflection:
How does the Good Shepherd produce contentment?
When I think of contentment, I cannot help but think of the Good Shepherd’s teaching about worry in His famous sermon on the mount. In short, Jesus teaches us not to worry about the things of this world. That is what pagans do, but that we should seek first the Kingdom of God, and He will provide our every need. (Mt. 6:25-34)
I believe this is the beginning of contentment. All too often, we attempt the opposite. We are seeking satisfaction in the things of this world. However, this approach always falls apart.
The most obvious example that comes to mind is money, or you could call it material possessions, or maybe fame and fortune, it all boils down to the same thing. There is a saying that money can’t buy happiness. If this is true, then why in the world would we think it could buy contentment? It seems like every time we turn on the news; we see another celebrity battling drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, and even suicide. If we could find contentment in money, then why do we continually see the wealthiest among us plagued with the same worldly woes as the rest of us?
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. (Ec. 5:10)
Another example where I think people often seek contentment is in other people. Unfortunately, this also fails to hold up. The problem here is that humanity is flawed and broken. Whether we mean to or not, we fail each other continually. Are you seeking contentment in your spouse? Your kids? Your friends? Did you disagree with your spouse? Where is your comfort? Did your kids move out of the house? Where is your happiness? Have a falling out with your best friend? Where is your peace? Did the person in which you found contentment pass away? Where is your contentment?
We could go on like this all day, but the simple fact is that contentment is found only in one place. In Christ……
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Pp. 4:11-13)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rm. 8:28)
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Ps. 34:8-10)
So if we know that that contentment doesn’t come from the world but only through Christ, then the question remains as to just how he produces contentment. And I believe we can find this answer in a single word. Transformation!!!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Co. 5:17)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Co. 5:17)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rm. 12:2)
Contentment begins when we seek God. It starts when we genuinely seek Him and allow Him to become our Shepherd. It is only then that He can begin to transform us into his image. It is only then that He begins to make us new. When we throw off the concerns of this world, we allow him to redirect our focus to where we find true contentment. In Him!
I shall not want.