The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

I and several pastor buddies have been reading through The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by a Puritan named Jeremiah Burrows. I've been quite impressed with this book which seems to have providentially come to me at a very uncertain time in my life.

I really have no certainty of what God has for me down the road, how He'll use the Henderson's to build His Kingdom, or even how we'll be provided for. Life has been incredibly precarious for me, as it has been for a number of people in this economy. And I find myself reading through The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and preaching through Habakkuk. The book has been quite challenging and has moved me toward being more proactive in my journey of contentment.

Of course there is always the question of "how." How is it possible to be content amidst trial or simply a precarious situation?

Here's an encouraging excerpt: "......Oh we cannot bear them, we cannot bear such an affliction.....yet how can you tell what you will do with the strength of Jesus Christ? You say you cannot bear it? So you think that Christ could not bear it? But if Christ could bear it, why may you not come to bear it? You will say, Can I have the strength of Christ? Yes it is made over to you by faith."

A helpful reminder that we do indeed have the strength of Christ in us in our journey of contentment. While not as eloquent as Burrows, but certainly much shorter, here is my final sermon in the Habakkuk series focusing on contentment.