You think when you get to go where you want to go, finally you be happy, but then when you get to where you want to go, you are actually even more miserable because you have nothing left to aspire to, and you feel this hopelessness, like what's left to aspire towards?

I've heard it said this way: "You'll never know that Christ is all you need, until He's all you have. And when He's all you have, you'll find out that He truly is all you need." So let's keep singing those songs, reminding ourselves and others that His grace really is enough and that all our hope truly is found in Christ alone.

The story is told of Socrates walking through the market in Athens, with its groaning abundance of options, and saying to himself, "Who would have thought that there could be so many things that I can do without?"4

In the midst of the awfulness, a touch comes and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. The right hand not of restraint nor of correction nor of chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it is ineffable peace and comfort, the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms," full of sustaining and comfort and strength. My Utmost for His Highest: Classic Edition

Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God's Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father's assurance, and then say with strong courage, "I will not fear." It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because "He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you.

In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength.

Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent?

I will never leave you"—not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.

Contentment celebrates grace. The contended heart is satisfied with the Giver and is therefore freed from craving the next gift.

Whatever sits on the other side of your "if-only" is where you are looking for life, peace, joy, hope, and lasting contentment of heart.

The minute you hear a sermon on materialism, you're glad somebody else is there to hear it.

Sturdy contentment that can weather the storms of difficulty and want is always rooted in worship.