BY: Sir Godfrey Gregg

Day Twenty-Three: Gratitude in Want

Scripture: Philippians 4:11–12

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

Reflection:

Paul had experienced both plenty and want, abundance and need. He knew what it was to have more than enough and what it was to have nothing. And in both circumstances, he had learned contentment.

This is a remarkable testimony. It is easy to be content when we have plenty. It is much harder when we are in want. Yet Paul says he had learned the secret of contentment in both.

The secret, as we have seen, is Christ. Paul did not find contentment in his circumstances but in his Savior. Whether he had much or little, he had Christ. And Christ was enough.

This does not mean that Paul did not feel the pain of want. He did. He knew hunger, thirst, cold, and exposure. He knew what it was to go without. But in the midst of his want, he found that Christ sustained him.

Gratitude in want is possible because God’s grace is sufficient. His mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness never fails. Even when we have nothing, we have Him. And having Him, we have everything.

What do you lack today? What needs are unmet, what desires are unfulfilled, what prayers are unanswered? Bring them to God with thanksgiving. Thank Him for what He has provided. Thank Him for His presence in your want. Trust that He will supply what you need in His time and in His way.

Journal: What do you lack, and how might God be providing even in that lack? What can you thank Him for in the midst of your want?

Practice: Thank God for what you have, even as you ask Him to supply what you need. Trust that He is faithful and will provide.

Prayer: Provider God, I thank You that even in times of want, You are with me. You have not forgotten me. You have not abandoned me. Your grace is sufficient for my needs. Supply what I lack, Lord, according to Your riches in glory. And let me be content in You, whether I have much or little. In Jesus’ name, Amen.