Are We Content?

O. T. #761  "Are We Content?"
May 25, 2016
1 Kings 4-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Are we content with food and drink? With all the things we have? Soon it will be 10 years since we moved into this little house. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for it, but would like to have a bigger one. We only have 1 bathroom and no room for guest to stay overnight. In time, it will come. Meanwhile, I will be grateful. Israel was content with what they had at this time.

Verse 20 tells us two of the blessings God has given Israel:

1. The people of Judah and Israel were a numerous a the sand on the seashore.
2. They were very contented with plenty to eat and drink.

Here we read of figuratively speaking of the increased population growth. Do you recall the Lord's promise which He made to Abraham in Genesis 22:17?-I will bless you and make your offspring numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand of the seashore.

Last month we went to visit my sister and family who live in Florida. We were able to go to the beach a couple of times to pick up shells. I had not seen the white sand before and thought how pretty it was, yet difficult to walk in to get to the water. I never gave thought as to how many grains of sand were there, as far as I could see down the coastline. Wow! They were too numerous to count. So Abraham's family, Jews and Gentile believers alike, are down through the ages were and are too numerous to count like grains of sand.

Israel and Judah were content with what they had to eat and drink, since there was plenty available. I think of a time when they were not, back during their treck in the wilderness with Moses. They complained about the manna and longed for leaks and onions.

Are we content with what the Lord has given us? In Hebrews 13:5 are instructed to be content in what things we have.
Are we, do we, can we, be content? It seems to be rare now days.

LET IT GROW

How is Solomon's prosperity measured?

•  His empire grew in vast land, from the Euphrates River to Gaza.
• There was peace on all the borders; during his lifetime, all lived in peace and safety.
•  Kingdoms served him by bringing tribute or presents. 
•  In verse 22 we read of the vast amount of daily food consumed in just Solomon's palace.
• Each family owned their home and garden. (They lived under their own  grapevine and under its own fig tree.)
• Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses and 12,000 horses.
• The district governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court, and nothing was lacking.
• Also, they gave  barley and straw for the royal horses in the stables.
• God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. e was wiser than anyone.
• Solomon's fame spread throughout al the surrounding nations.
• He composed 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.
• He spoke with authority about all kinds of plants, animals, bird, small creatures, and fish.
• Nations sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

Solomon used details in nature to teach moral lessons. Sounds like the parables that Jesus used so people could understand the point He was trying to make. Jesus's wisdom was greater than that of Solomon's (Col. 2:3) and in His wealth (col. 1:19, 2:9). Do we give Him the glory which Jesus deserves?

Isn't it rather easy to be content when we are prosperous, things are going our way? Paul was content in all situations because  Jesus was with him. A lesson for us to learn, huh?

LET IT GO

Ask God for wisdom  when I need it.

Thank Him for blessings.

Be content in prosperous and poor times.