Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say:

“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   NKJV

Frequently in reading Scripture, I find something that speaks to me differently than it has in the past, and this passage is one of those.  I’ve read this many times, and each time I would focus on the absence of fear when walking with God.  As I reread this, some words flooded my heart and mind – Contentment and Courage!

The apostle challenged those listening to live without covetousness and to live in contentment. He understood something that we have missed too often. Covetousness is one of, if not the biggest, problems in believers’ lives. Virtually all the other commandments have their beginning in that little self-centered green-eyed monster.  As we give way to it, we find ourselves succumbing to numerous other failures in life and character.

His encouragement and qualifier for living a life of Contentment was God’s Promise, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.”  If I genuinely believe God’s Promise, then I can be content in whatever state I find myself in because I know, as David declared, “I was young, and now I am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsake nor his seed begging for bread.”   

We can take the many promises of provision, including, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.”  The question is not God’s ability but our confidence in His Word.  So, if I believe God, then Contentment is a natural by-product of that trust, and I do not have to look with envy or covetousness toward anyone or anything.  After all, My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He owns the hills.  There is Nothing impossible with Him, and I am His. Therefore, I trust, relax, and rest in confident contentment.

The apostle did not stop there, but he spoke that out of our state of contentment, we can make a bold declaration that since God is my provider, helper, teacher, guide, and protector – I WILL NOT FEAR! 

My life then will be lived without fear of man or anything because what can mortal man do to me?  He may take away my possessions, but God can and will provide.  He may take away my physical freedom, but I’m free in spirit and can never be enslaved even if I am imprisoned.  He may take away my life, but my life is not dependent on how long I draw breath on planet earth, for I am an eternal creation, and should they snuff out my physical life, I transition to Eternal Life!  What can man do to me?   Much but nothing in comparison to what God can do for me. 

So, as you go through this day, ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust God’s Promises so you can truly live in contentment and Courage. 

God bless you as you go through your day!