BIG IDEA:
A VALUE SYSTEM ORIENTED AROUND GOD’S WORD IS THE PATHWAY TO CONTENTMENT
6 KEYS TO CONTENTMENT:
I. (:57) BEING SATISFIED WITH THE LORD
“The Lord is my portion” — this is the major key
What else do we need? We’ve got the whole pie! We’ve got the only pie that counts!
“I’d rather have Jesus than riches or gold”
“Content to let the world pass by, to know no gain nor loss”
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
We are Committed to Obedience
“I have promised to keep Thy words”
II. (:58-60) SEEKING GOD’S FAVOR
“I entreated Thy favor with all my heart”
“Be gracious to me”
Self-effort cannot realize contentment
Confidence that God is a good God and delights to give good gifts to His children
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
1) We Walk Circumspectly
“I considered my ways” — sensitive to missteps
“And turned my feet to Thy testimonies” — correction
2) We Obey Instantly
“I hastened and did not delay to keep Thy commandments”
III. (:61) NOT PANICKING UNDER PRESSURE
“The cords of the wicked have encircled me”
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
We Remain Focused on God’s Word
“But I have not forgotten Thy law”
IV. (:62) GIVING THANKS ALWAYS
“At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to Thee” — no bitterness here; nothing taken for granted
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
We Agree with God’s Verdict of Right and Wrong
“Because of Thy righteous ordinances”
V. (:63) FELLOWSHIPING WITH OTHER GOD-FEARERS
“I am a companion of all those who fear Thee”
Good companions foster good morals
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
We are attracted to those who are like us = Committed to obeying God’s Word
“And of those who keep Thy precepts”
VI. (:64) SEEING GOD’S LOVE EVERYWHERE
“The earth is full of Thy lovingkindness, O Lord”
Some people see a glass as half empty vs. seeing it as half full
Positive attitudes (Phil. 4:6-8)
Proof that our Value System is oriented around God’s Word:
We desire additional teaching
“Teach me Thy statutes”