No Matter What, All Is Well

Job 36:10-12

He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.


Philippians 4:10-12

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Obviously, today's lesson is about being content. We are show contentment from two different writers in two very different circumstances. First, Job, the man who had everything taken from him, even his health, realizes that if we, as children of God, are obedient to the Lord and serve Him in all we do, we will not only live a prosperous life, but will be content with our lives in this world. Job learned how true this was. For the man who lost it all was given multiple times more than he had. As for the writer of Philippians, Paul, he had seen both riches and glory along with being poor, beaten, and imprisoned. However, in the case of Paul, he never did get his riches back. The key is that he knew that earthly riches were nothing, but to be rich in the Lord was of the greatest value. We see this in the following verses.

Philippians 1:22-24

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Though he desired to be called from this earthly realm, he knew that God had His own plans in store for him and that there was a reason he was to continue here on earth. Though we might now understand where we are in life, let each of us be content in our situations, yet still working diligently for our Lord, for it is He who moves us and blesses us with what He so desires.