Jan. 21, 2009 - In light of yesterday's events...

I received this from Grace Gems  this morning.  Remember that we must pray for our new President.  The most important thing to us as Christians is not that we think he's going to turn our country more and more toward Socialism, tax us to death, and take away more of our freedoms, it's that he and his family are not saved (don't know how you can be saved and be for all the things the Bible is against).  This should bother us more than our political differences with the man.

We shall be sure to find something to annoy us!

(John MacDuff, "The Christian's Pathway" 1858)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

The believer is frequently exhorted to cultivate contentment, and there are many considerations by which the duty may be enforced.

One thing is very evident--that there is no condition in the present world, which is free from trouble! Let us pitch our tent wherever we may--we shall be sure to find something to annoy us! And if there is no situation without some inconvenience--had we not better make up our minds to be satisfied with that condition in which we are now placed?

We are too much in the habit of judging by outward appearances. But things are often very different in reality--to what they appear to be.

If we judge according to appearance, we shall be led to regard the most prosperous--as the happiest individuals. But we are assured by universal experience--that to be great is one thing, and that to be truly happy is altogether another thing! Under the glittering robes of the proudest nobilities--there are hearts pierced with anguish, and wrung with grief! In splendid palaces--there are many broken hearts to be found. To sit upon thrones may seem to be something very fascinating; but, "uneasy lies the head--which wears a crown!" This is a truth which receives fresh confirmation, from every passing year.

Let us not then, regard those who occupy the high places of the earth, with feelings of envy. Instead of envying them --it befits us rather to pity them and pray for them!

Reader, learn to distinguish between things that differ; and be well assured that things as they appear outwardly, and as they really are--do often differ, and that very substantially! Such knowledge will tend, under God's blessing--to make you more contented with your present lot, notwithstanding its trials and privations.

It is not unusual--to be exposed to things which are grievous and hard to be borne. This is not some strange thing which is happening to us alone. Let us lay aside, therefore, all murmurings and complainings--and ever remember that God's arrangements are the wisest and the best!