Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.–Heb. 13:5
Preach contentment to a covetous, carnal man, and you will have no better success than if you bid the surging billows be calm, or the boisterous winds he still. He possesses nothing which can give true content to his mind. Has he richest. They are a curse to him; for he himself is under the curse of the law. O believer, were not this, in a certain sense, your case also, you would stand in no need of this exhortation, "Be content." You are the subject of a carnal nature: this is under the curse of the law; for it is ever dissatisfied, craving for more, murmuring against the dispensations of the Lord. Know and consider this: be humble: be watchful.
Consider what good things of this life you have. Be they little or much, do you deserve them? Have you a right to challenge more from God, the giver of them? Here rest, and let conscience answer nature's cravings.
Consider what spiritual things you have. You have the everlasting, unchangeable love of a covenant God and Father. You have the life, death, and intercession of God the Son for your righteousness, atonement, and salvation. As a consequence of this, and that you may know and be sure of it, the Spirit has bestowed his graces upon you. Hence you have faith in Christ, hope towards God, love to him, delight in him, a heart to cry to him, a will to please him, a desire to walk holily before him. And to encourage and enable to this, you have all his precious promises in Christ: these are the staff pf your faith, the support of your hope, and the joy of your soul. What want you more? Paul sums up all in one word: "All things are yours." 1 Cor. 3:22.
Is not this enough to make you content? Ah, say yon, I find myself such a vile sinner, I am afraid I shall forfeit all these things. So you would before the next setting sun if you stood in yourself; but here is a Covenant promise from a faithful God for you: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." This is a most precious word for you: fasten upon it: draw comfort, derive content from it. Some say this regards things of this life only. Well, surely if God loves his people's bodies, he will never forsake their souls: and to silence all the cavils of unbelief, the words run, No, I will not leave thee; no, no, I will not forsake thee. Here are five negatives. "Be not faithless, but believing." John 20: 27.