We never consider that God can open the eyes of the blind with clay and spittle, he can work above, beyond, and even contrary to means…’Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet the valley shall be filled with water’ (2 Kings 3.17). God would have us depend on him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about…
— Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
When things do not fall out according to expectation, when the tide of second causes runs so low that we see little in outward means to support our hopes and hearts, then the heart begins to reason as did he in 2 Kings 7:2: ‘If the Lord should open the windows of heaven how should this be?’ We never consider that God can open the eyes of the blind with clay and spittle, he can work above, beyond, and even contrary to means. He often makes the fairest flowers of man’s endeavours to wither and brings improbable things to pass, in order that the glory of the undertaking may be given to himself. Indeed, if his people stand in need of miracles to bring about their deliverance, miracles fall as easily from God’s hands as to give his people daily bread. God’s blessing many times is a secret from his servants so that they do not know from which way it is coming, as ‘Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet the valley shall be filled with water’ (2 Kings 3:17). God would have us to depend on him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about; otherwise we do not show a quiet sprit. Though an affliction is on you, do not let your heart sink under it. So far as your heart sinks and you are discouraged under affliction, so much you need to learn this lesson of contentment.
- Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition, as by way or subtraction. That is his way of contentment, and it is a way that the world has no skill in. I open it thus: not so much by adding to what he would have, or to what he has, not by adding more to his condition; but rather by subtracting from his desires, so as to make his desires and his circumstances even and equal….
Now I say that a heart that has no grace, and is not instructed in this mystery of contentment, knows of no way to get contentment, but to have his possessions raised up to his desires; but the Christian has another way to contentment, that is, he can bring his desires down to his possessions, and so he attains…
The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have. Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment, when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances…the root of contentment consists in the suitableness and proportion of a man’s spirit to his possessions, as evenness where one end is not longer and bigger than the other. The heart is contented and there is comfort in those circumstances.
- Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Many men and women will in general say that they must submit to God in affliction; I suppose that is you were to go now from one end of this congregation to the other, and speak thus to every soul: ‘Would you not submit to God’s disposal, in whatever condition he might place you?’, you would say, ‘God forbid that it should be otherwise!’ But we have a saying, There is a great deal of deceit in general statements. In general, you would submit to anything; but what if it is in this or that particular case which crosses you most? – Then, anything but that! We are usually apt to think that any condition is better than that condition in which God has placed us.
- Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
This is to say, the soul that has learned this lesson of contentment looks up to God in all things. He does not look down at the instruments and means, so as to say that such a man did it, that it was the unreasonableness of such and such instruments, and similar barbarous usage by such and such; but he looks up to God. A contented heart looks to God’s disposal, and submits to God’s disposal, that is, he sees the wisdom of God in everything. In his submission he sees his sovereignty, but what makes him take pleasure is God’s wisdom. The Lord knows how to order things better than I. The Lord sees further than I do; I only see things at present but the Lord sees a great while from now. And how do I know but that had it not been for this affliction, I should have been undone. I know that the love of God may as well stand with an afflicted condition as with a prosperous condition. There are reasonings of this kind in a contented spirit, submitting to the disposal of God.
- Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.
- Jeremiah Burroughs
It has sat on my bookshelf for almost 6 years. Every time I saw it, I knew I should read it. But, frankly, I had no desire to. What possessed me to buy that book? Out of all the books in the Covenant Life Bookstore, why this one? I’m well aware that I need to be content. I’m convinced it’s one of the hardest things to be. Why do I want to read a book that makes that painful fact even more of a reality? AND it’s written by a really smart, old guy…it’s not going to be easy to read.
Have you ever avoided a book you know God wants you to read? I have. I’ve done it twice before…The Holiness of God and When People Are Big and God Is Small. What amazed me is that God used both of those books in amazing ways, in my life. They are on the top 5 books that have greatly affected my Christian walk (the Bible being number 1). I’m not amazed that the books affected me, because they’re incredible! I’m amazed that God allowed them to affect me after I had ignored His prodding for years. It once again proves that I have an amazing God that doesn't work like I would. And I’m so glad!
I am in that place again. For many years I have stared at this book sitting in my wardrobe. Knowing I should read it, but having absolutely no desire to do so. I decided to pick it up last week and I’ve fallen in love with it. It is so gracious and yet so convicting at the same time. But, it’s not a “aahh, I can never change” kind of conviction. It is the “wow, I’m not like that, but I really want to be” kind of conviction. It’s the kind you know that you cannot achieve on your own, but you realize that by God’s grace, you can/will. I have also been very surprised to find it easy to read. Nowhere near as difficult as I expected.
So, if you’re wanting to read an amazingly well written, grace-filled, convicting book (that is only $5.40)…order The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, today!!! It’s well worth the $5. You can purchase it HERE.
Still not convinced? Check out these excerpts.
But, where contentment of heart springs from grace, the heart is very quick and lively in the service of God. Yea, the more any gracious heart can bring itself to be in a contented disposition, the more fit it is for any service of God. It is very active and lively, not dull, in the service of God. And just as a contented heart is very active and busy in the work of God, so he is very active and busy in sanctifying God’s name in the affliction that befalls him…he whose contentment is of grace is not disquieted and keeps his heart quiet with regard to vexation and trouble, and at the same time is not dull or heavy but very active to sanctify God’s name in the affliction that he is experiencing. For if a man is to be free from discontent and worry it is not enough merely not to murmur but you must be active in sanctifying God’s name in the affliction. Indeed, this will distinguish if from a sturdy resolution not to be troubled. Though you have a sturdy resolution that you will not be troubled, do you make it a matter of conscience to sanctify God’s name in your affliction and is this where your resolution comes from? That is the main thing that brings quietness of heart and helps against discontent in a gracious heart. I say, the desire and care your soul has to sanctify God’s name ina an affliction is what quietens the soul, and this is what others lack.
When things do not fall out according to expectation, when the tide of second causes runs so low that we see little in outward means to support our hopes and hearts, then the heart begins to reason as did he in 2 Kings 7.2: 'If the Lord could open the windows of heaven how should this be?' We never consider that God can open the eyes of the blind with clay and spittle, he can work above, beyond, and even contrary to means. He often makes the fairest flowers of man's endeavors to wither and brings improbable things to pass, in order that the glory of the undertaking my be given to himself. Indeed, if his people stand in need of miracles to bring about their deliverance, miracles fall as easily from God's hands as to give his people daily bread. God's blessing many times is a secret from his servants so that they do not know from which way it is coming, as 'Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet the valley shall be filled with water' (2 Kings 3.17). God would have us to depend on him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about; otherwise we do not show a quiet spirit. Though an affliction is on you, do not let your heart sink under it. So far as your heart sinks and you are discouraged under affliction, so much you need to learn this lesson of contentment.
-Jeremiah Burroughs
