Living a Life of Hope (11) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

Living a Life of Hope (11)
What brings you satisfaction in life? Paul reminds us all here in our verse, that true satisfaction is not found in our wealth, but in the God who not only provides everything we need, but also wants us to enjoy what He provides. This is the secret to true contentment: to enjoy the Blesser more than we enjoy the blessings!

Moses is an example for us in this. We read, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Heb. 11:24–26). Moses knew to not set his hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God Himself!

Solomon, on the other hand, had to learn this the hard way. Ecclesiastes records Solomon’s pursuit for satisfaction as He sought for contentment in everything else but the Lord. He thought the activities of pleasure might meet his needs (Eccl. 2:1–3), but this only left him empty. He thought “things” might give him contentment (vv. 7–8), but at the end of all his searching, he declares, “I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind” (v. 17).

Like so many today, Solomon was searching for the meaning of life, for real hope of a future. Satisfaction in the present and hope for the future are found in a living relationship with Jesus Christ!

-- Tim Hadley, Sr.

Sweetest rest and peace have filled us,
Sweeter praise than tongue can tell;
God is satisfied with Jesus,
We are satisfied as well.

-- J. von Poseck (tr. Frances Bevan)