1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (NKJV)
A prayer asking God to grant us contentment in all things
Heavenly Father,
If I am suffering, without clothing, poor, discouraged or mistreated;
make my heart value Your love, know it intimately and be ruled by it, even if I am denied any comfort, blessing or luxury in this life.
Let me count it joy when you determine that I am worthy to suffer and be tested with needs; for it is by these trials and suffering that I see my sinfulness and self dependence and discover my need to fully depend on You and You alone.
Let me willingly and jofully accept misery, sorrow and temptations so that I can see the horrible effects of sin on my life and others. Then let me worship in thankfulness when You deliver me from them knowing that this is the greatest testimony of Your love for me.
When Jesus saved me, He became more dear to me than my love for sin and He became Ruler of my life. Help me to understand that if I am ever to have any victory over sin, I must not only fight the battle physically, but spiritually I must allow Christ to conquer it and become Sovereign Lord over all my life. He must become more dear to me than any fleshly desire or trial before I can experience His power, life and sweetness.
When I am afraid of what evil my sinful nature may hold or what trials this life may bring, comfort me by confirming that my sinful nature is being crucified and that I am being conformed to the image of Christ; eternally secure, divinely protected, endlessly loved.
Let me have no rest or confidence in myself, while finding perfect peace, rest and assurance in Christ. Help me to understand that I am deceitful and proud, unable to do any good thing apart from the righteousness that God works through me.
Thank you that I am growing to be more like Christ even now, and that someday you will perfect me in righteousness for Your glory. When that day comes You will restore a perfect relationship between us, full and eternal, and sin will cease to exist.
O God, make that day come quickly!
Contemplation: Are you content? Do you believe God knows what He is doing and is capable of doing it? Is God causing you to be discontent? What about God, do you not believe in fully that is resulting in your discontentment?
Application: Godliness with contentment is great gain. The wonderful part is, He gives us both the Godliness and the contentment, then blesses us with the “gain” as if we did something to deserve it!
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?