Consolation to the Contented Christian
the smoothness of the end—should make amends for the ruggedness of the way. O eternity, eternity! Think often of the eternal kingdom prepared. David was advanced from the field—to the throne! First he held his shepherd's staff—and shortly after the royal scepter. God's people may be put to hard services here on earth—but God has chosen them to be kings—to sit upon the throne with the Lord Jesus!
This being weighed in the balance of faith, would be an excellent means to bring the heart to contentment.
Rule 18. Be much in prayer. The last rule for contentment is, be much in prayer. Beg of God, that he will work our hearts to this blessed frame. "Is any man afflicted? let him pray!" (Ja. 5:14) Just so, is any man discontented? let him pray. Prayer gives vent: the opening of a vein lets out bad blood. Just so, when the heart is filled with sorrow and disquiet, prayer lets out the bad blood. The key of a prayer, oiled with tears, unlocks the heart of all its discontents!
Prayer is a holy charm, to drive away trouble. Prayer is the unbosoming of the soul—the unloading of all our cares into God's breast; and this ushers in sweet contentment. When there is any burden upon our spirits, by opening our mind to a friend we find our hearts greatly eased and quieted. It is not our strong resolutions—but our strong requests to God, which must give the heart ease in trouble. By prayer the strength of Christ comes into the soul—and where that is, a man is able to go through any condition. Paul could be in every state content; but that you may not think he was able to do this himself, he tells you that though he could lack and abound, and "do all things;" yet it was through Christ strengthening him. (Ph.
4:13) Consolation to the Contented Christian.
The last use is of comfort—an encouraging word to the contented Christian. If there is an heaven upon earth—you have it! O Christian!
You may leap over your troubles, and, with the leviathan, laugh at the shaking of a spear. (Job 41:7) You are a crown to your profession;
you hold it out to all the world—that there is virtue enough in piety, to give the soul contentment. You show the highest degree of grace.
When grace is reigning in our hearts, it is easy for us to be content.
But when grace is declining, and meets with crosses, temptations, agonies; now the heart becomes discontent.
To a contented Christian, I shall say two things for a farewell.
1. God is exceedingly pleased with such a frame of heart.
God says of a contented Christian, as David once said of Goliath's sword, "there is none like that, give it to me!" If you would please
God, and be men whom he delights in—be contented. God hates a froward spirit.
2. The contented Christian shall be no loser. What did Job lose, by his patience? God gave him twice as much as he had before.
What did Abraham lose, by his contentment? he was content to leave his country at God's call: the Lord makes a covenant with him, that he would be his God. He changes his name; no more Abram—but Abraham, the father of many nations. (Ge. 17) God makes his seed as the stars of heaven; nay, honors, him with this title, "the father of the faithful." (Ge. 18:17) The Lord makes known his secrets to him,
"shall I hide from Abraham the things that I will do?" God settles a rich inheritance upon him, that land which was a type of heaven, and afterwards translated him to the blessed paradise of glory!
God will be sure to reward the contented Christian. As our Savior said in another case, to Nathaniel, "You shall see greater things than these!" (John 1:50) So I say, are you contented, O Christian, with a little? You shall see greater things than these! God will distill the sweet influences of his love into your soul. He will bless the oil in your cruise; and when that is done, He will crown you with an eternal enjoyment of himself! He will give you heaven—where you shall have as much contentment as your soul can possibly thirst after!