Devotion / True contentment

Someone once studied how many basic things in life it takes to make people content. They discovered that 100 years ago Americans had 70 things in their lives that they felt necessary in order to survive. Today that number has risen to over 500. 

 Meet Barzillai

 When David and his army were fleeing from David’s wicked son Absalom, he needed food for his troops. One day David met a wealthy man named Barzillai. This generous man provided them with “bedding and bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep and cheese” (2 Samuel 17:28,29).  David and his soldiers were thankful.

 After David received the news that Absalom was dead, he once again met Barzillai. Remembering the great sacrifice Barzillai had made earlier, David said to him: “Cross over [Jordan] with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you” (2 Samuel 19:33).

 David invited Barzillai to live his remaining days in comfort. David promised to provide Barzillai with everything he would ever need. But Barzillai replied: “How many more years will I live that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. . . . Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? . . . Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother” (2 Samuel 19:34-37). Barzillai was content. He was satisfied to live out his years at home and to be buried in the family cemetery.

 If God showers us with so many blessings, why is it often difficult to be content with what we have? The devil loves to take our focus off of the things we have and refocus our attention on the things we don’t have! What a lesson we learn from Barzillai. He teaches us what real contentment is all about. Jesus’ death and resurrection assures us that we not only have the one thing needful but all the blessings that flow from it.

 As God’s children we have reason to be content. Hebrews 13:5 promises: “Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” If we have Jesus in our lives, what more could we want?

 by Reynold R. Kremer