Contentment

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Very few things satisfy them. They can find fault with almost every place, everything and everyone; and they spend much of their time <I><B>'murmuring</B></I>.' They want more money, luxury, authority, power, position and possessions. They see others with these things: but they are discontented with their lot in life and are not slow to voice their discontent. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Discontentment is their Master</B></I> <I><B>and murmuring is their hobby.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> These folk are spiritually sick. Are you one of them? Am I one of them? The Scriptures gives us some invaluable advice concerning <B>discontentment </B>and <B>murmuring.</B> It is found in Jahzrael's (Israel's) experiences in their <B>wilderness. </B>I'll begin by reading a few verses of each experience and then endeavour to draw lessons from it.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. IN THE BARREN WILDERNESS OF SIN</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Exodus 15:27</B><I>: And they came to </I><I><B>Elim,</B></I><I> where were </I><I><B>twelve wells of water</B></I><I>, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Exodus 16:</B><I><B> </B></I><B>1</B>:<I> And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Jahzrael came unto the </I><I><B>wilderness of Sin</B></I><I>, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2: And the whole congregation of the children of Jahzrael </I><I><B>murmured against Moses and Aaron</B></I><I> in the wilderness: 3: And the children of Jahzrael said unto them, Would to Jah we had died by the hand of Jah in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the </I><I><B>flesh pots</B></I><I>, and when we did </I><I><B>eat bread to the full</B></I><I>; for ye have brought us forth into </I><I><B>this wilderness</B></I><I>, to kill this whole assembly with </I><I><B>hunger.</B></I><I> 4: Then said Jah unto </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I>, Behold, </I><I><B>I will rain bread from heaven for you;</B></I><I> and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, </I><I><B>that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no</B></I><I>. 5: And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. 6: And </I><I><B>Moses and Aaron</B></I><I> said unto all the children of Jahzrael, At even, then ye shall know that Jah hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: </I><I><B>7:</B></I><I> And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of Jah; for that</I><I><B> he heareth your murmurings against Jah:</B></I><I> and what are we, that ye murmur against us?</I> </div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> That we should never forget how Jah has delivered us from the <I>slavery of spiritual Egypt</I>. How that the <I><B>Lamb's blood</B></I> has saved us from sin and eternal death and brought us through the Red Sea of Trial. </div> <bR> <div> That though we live in an extremely evil world, a veritable <I><B>'wilderness of sin,'</B></I> the Creator is still able to keep us alive, though conditions appear to be deteriorating. Remember the manna never began to fall till a whole month had passed: so their food stocks were precariously low. </div> <bR> <div> That JAH<B>,</B> the Holy One of Jahzrael listens to our every word, every murmur:<I> '</I><I><B>for he heareth your murmuring.' </B></I>He can read every thought, weigh every motive and assess every action. Nothing escapes Him, absolutely nothing at all. </div> <bR> <div> That Jah of the Sabbath is anxious to see <I><B>whether we will walk in His law, or not:</B></I> or whether at the first sign of a shortage we begin to complain.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. IN THE WILDERNESS OF THIRST</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Exodus 17: 1</B><I>: And all the congregation of the children of Jahzrael journeyed from the </I><I><B>wilderness of Sin</B></I><I>, after their journeys, according to the commandment of Jah, and pitched in </I><I><B>Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. </B></I><I>2: Wherefore the people did chide with </I><I><B>Moses,</B></I><I> and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? </I><I><B>wherefore do ye tempt Jah? </B></I><I>3: </I><I><B>And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses,</B></I><I> and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4: And </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>cried unto Jah, saying, </I><I><B>What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.</B></I><I> 5: And Jah said unto </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I>, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Jahzrael; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6: Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink. And </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>did so in the sight of the elders of Jahzrael. </I><I><B>7:</B></I><I> And he called the name of the place </I><I><B>Massah</B></I><I>, and </I><I><B>Meribah</B></I><I>, because of the chiding of the children of Jahzrael, and because </I><I><B>they tempted Jah, saying, Is Jah among us, or not?</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jah is well aware of the fact that <B>we</B> <B>need water</B>: and he will supply it when there are no wells from which to drink. But He usually waits to see our reaction when our supplies run dry. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Murmuring is tempting Jah</B></I><I>! </I></div> <bR> <div> <B>3. IN THE WILDERNESS OF BURNING </B></div> <bR> <div> About a year later Jahzrael entered the wilderness of Paran, the <B>wilderness of burning</B>. The nation's complaints moved into a higher gear; and so did the Almighty's frustration and anger. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 11: 1</B>: <I>And when </I><I><B>the</B></I><I> </I><I><B>people complained</B></I><I>, it displeased Jah: and </I><I><B>Jah heard it; and his anger was kindled;</B></I><I> and </I><I><B>the fire of Jah burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.</B></I><I> 2: And the people cried unto </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I>; and when </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I> prayed unto Jah, the fire was quenched. 3: And he called the name of the place </I><I><B>Taberah</B></I><I>: because the fire of Jah burnt among them. 4: And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Jahzrael also wept again, and said, </I><I><B>Who shall give us flesh to eat?</B></I><I> 5: We remember the </I><I><B>fish</B></I><I>, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the </I><I><B>cucumbers</B></I><I>, and the </I><I><B>melons</B></I><I>, and the leeks, and the </I><I><B>onions</B></I><I>, and the </I><I><B>garlick</B></I><I>: 6: But now our soul is dried away: </I><I><B>there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes…</B></I><I> 10: Then </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and </I><I><B>the anger of Jah was kindled greatly;</B></I><I> </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>also was displeased.</I> </div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">That after being warned, after witnessing the mighty power of Jah for a whole year, after eating food which fell from heaven, after drinking water which gushed out of a rock, the people of Jah persisted in their murmuring. <B>Jah's anger was greatly kindled, particularly against the </B><I><B>'mixt-multitude,'</B></I> that is, the faithless, half-converted believers in the camp who were only interested in the things of the flesh - food and drink. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">This passage is not teaching that we should all become vegetarians: or that cucumbers, melons, onions, leeks and garlic are <B>not</B> to be enjoyed. Oh no! This experience is teaching us that when we begin to be bored with the heavenly <I><B>Bread of Life</B></I> (the <I>Word of Jah, </I>the <I>Son of Jah, </I>the <I>worship of Jah) </I>then we are in grave danger of entering <I><B>Taberah</B></I><I>:</I><I><B> where the fire of Jah burnt His people.</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> <B>4. IN THE WILDERNESS OF DOUBT </B></div> <bR> <div> Even though Jah<B>, </B>the Holy One of Jahzrael had crushed the mighty Egyptian army and set Jahzrael free, His people still feared <B>human enemies</B> and <B>human fortifications.</B> Ten of the twelve spies had brought back a very discouraging report: one that was riddled with <B>doubt</B> about Jahzrael's chances of taking over the Promised Land. As a result tens of thousands of adult Jahzraelites, all except their little children, followed their lead and <B>began to</B> <B>doubt.</B> Those adults all lost their lives in the wilderness - all except <B>Joshua and Caleb.</B></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 14: 1:</B><I> And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2: And all the children of Jahzrael</I><I><B> murmured</B></I><I> against </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I> and against </I><I><B>Aaron</B></I><I>: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would Jah that we had died in the land of Egypt! or</I><I><B> would Jah we had died in this wilderness! </B></I><I>3: And wherefore hath Jah brought us unto this land, </I><I><B>to fall by the sword</B></I><I>, that our wives and our children should be a prey? </I><I><B>were it not better for us to return into Egypt?</B></I><I> 4: And they said one to another, </I><I><B>Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. </B></I><I>5: Then </I><I><B>Moses and Aaron</B></I><I> fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Jahzrael. 6: And </I><I><B>Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh</B></I><I>, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 7: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Jahzrael, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8: </I><I><B>If Jah delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us</B></I><I>; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9:</I><I><B> Only rebel not ye against Jah, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and Jah is with us: fear them not. </B></I><I>10: But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of Jah appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Jahzrael. 11: And Jah said unto </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I>,</I><I><B> How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me,</B></I><I> for all the signs which I have shewed among them? </I><I><B>12: I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them</B></I><I>, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. </I></div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> <B>Doubting the Almighty's power to save and keep His promise to protect us from our enemies is fatal: </B>not only for ourselves but for those who rely on our judgement and who may become infected with our doubts. </div> <bR> <div> Also, you may unthinkingly wish for something stupid, and then be granted your wish. They asked for death in the wilderness (<I>'…</I><I><B>would Jah we had died in this wilderness!</B></I>)<I><B> </B></I>and then - horror of horrors! Their wish was granted. </div> <bR> <div> Or you may well think of <B>stoning the very people who try to instill faith in you.</B><I>' They took up stones to stone Joshua and Caleb.'</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B>5. IN THE WILDERNESS OF AUTHORITY</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 16: 1</B><I>: Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2: And they rose up before </I><I><B>Moses,</B></I><I> with certain of the children of Jahzrael</I><I><B>, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown</B></I><I>: 3: And they gathered themselves together </I><I><B>against Moses and against Aaron</B></I><I>, and said unto them, </I><I><B>Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Jah is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of Jah? …</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> When summoned to discuss the matter with <B>Moses</B>, the Reubenite <B>rebels</B> Dathan and Abiram sent this insulting message to him:<I> </I></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 16:14:</B><I> Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? </I><I><B>we will not come up</B></I><I>.</I> </div> <bR> <div> Many of you know the story well. Moses was furious, Jah was furious and He caused the earth to split open and swallow up the <B>rebels</B>, their families, their tents and all their goods. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 16: 31</B><I>: And it came to pass, as he </I>(Moses) <I>had made an end of speaking all these words, that </I><I><B>the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33: They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. </B></I><I>34: And all Jahzrael that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. </I><I><B>35:</B></I><I> And there came out </I><I><B>a fire from Jah</B></I><I>, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense…</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>The very next day:</B><I> </I><B>verse 41</B><I>: But on the morrow </I><I><B>all</B></I><I> the congregation of the children of Jahzrael </I><I><B>murmured against Moses and against Aaron</B></I><I>, saying</I><I><B>, Ye have killed the people of Jah.</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> The Almighty's anger overflowed, He began to slaughter Jahzrael and it was only when <B>Aaron</B>, on <B>Moses's </B>orders, ran to their rescue that the plague was stayed. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 16: 48</B><I>: And he </I>(Aaron) <I>stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49: Now </I><I><B>they that died in the plague were</B></I><I> </I><I><B>fourteen thousand and seven hundred</B></I><I>, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.</I> </div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> Though Jahzrael was a <I>nation of kings and priests </I><B>(Exodus 19:6)</B> not every Jahzraelite was authorized to officiate as a <I><B>priest before Jah</B></I>. That office was reserved for the family of <B>Aaron.</B> To be sure the other Levites and the Reubenites had important duties, but not as priests of the Most High. </div> <bR> <div> Misjudgement of this fact on the part of the Levite <B>Korah </B>and the Reubenites, <B>Dathan, and Abiram, </B>resulted in the death of some 250 princes and about 15,000 souls!</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>6. AARON'S ROD </B></div> <bR> <div> Surprisingly the remaining leaders in Jahzrael still considered themselves in the right. To be sure they didn't join in the open <B>rebellion </B>of <I>Korah, Dathan, Abiram </I>and the 250 who died. But they still considered that <B>Aaron</B> and his sons were taking too much upon themselves. After all, were they not leaders of the other tribes of Jahzrael? And so Jah organized, what I call - <B>the</B> <B>Rod Test.</B> Like a <I>monarch's </I><I><B>scepter </B></I>or an army officer's <B>baton,</B> the <I><B>rod is the symbol of authority </B></I>that a ruler has over a company, tribe or nation. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Numbers 17: 3</B><I>: And thou shalt write </I><I><B>Aaron's</B></I><I> name upon the </I><I><B>rod of Levi</B></I><I>: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. 4: And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. 5: And it shall come to pass, that </I><I><B>the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom</B></I><I>: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Jahzrael, whereby they murmur against you. 6: And </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I> spake unto the children of Jahzrael, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the </I><I><B>rod of Aaron</B></I><I> was among their rods. 7: And </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I> laid up the rods before Jah in the tabernacle of witness. 8: And it came to pass, that on the morrow </I><I><B>Moses</B></I><I> went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold,</I><I><B> the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.</B></I><I> 9: And </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>brought out all the rods from before Jah unto all the children of Jahzrael: and they looked, and took every man his rod. 10: And Jah said unto </I><I><B>Moses,</B></I><I> Bring </I><I><B>Aaron's rod</B></I><I> again before the testimony, </I><I><B>to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. </B></I><I>11: And </I><I><B>Moses </B></I><I>did so: as Jah commanded him, so did he. 12: And the children of Jahzrael spake unto </I><I><B>Moses,</B></I><I> saying, </I><I><B>Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. </B></I><I>13: Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of Jah shall die: shall we be consumed with dying? </I></div> <bR> <div> What can we learn from this experience? Amongst other things, we can learn this: </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Rebellion</B> against <B>Moses</B>, the channel of Holy law, is a fatal mistake. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Assuming or coveting spiritual authority, which Jah hasn't given is a grave error. It can lead to the death of many souls. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jah has appointed various duties in the assembly, which can only be done by His <I><B>authorized channels. </B></I>Holy authority in spiritual matters is always evident by its results:- <I><B>spiritual buds, blossoms and almonds. </B></I>The bowls of the seven-branch candlestick (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) were all <I>'made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.'</I> <B>(Exodus 25:33-34, Ex. 37:19-20) </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>What is Acceptable Discontent?</B></div> <div> There is, of course, such a thing as <B>acceptable discontent</B>: else no one would seek improvement. We would all sit still and content ourselves with any and everything - however bad it happened to be. But what is <I><B>acceptable discontent? </B></I>Misjudgement in this matter could be inviting disaster. Here are a few examples of <B>acceptable discontent: </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>One's own Righteousness</B></div> <div> Comparing ourselves with others is a vain and futile pastime. Better by far to <B>compare yourself to Jahoshuwah the Saviour.</B> You can be sure that <B>if </B>you take this course you will feel discontented with your own performance and this will lead to repentance, faith, humility and <B>contentment. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2Cor: 10:12</B>:<I> For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: </I><I><B>but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.</B></I></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2Corinthians 7:10:</B><I> For </I><I><B>Jahly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.</B></I><I> 11: For behold this selfsame thing, that ye </I><I><B>sorrowed after a Jahly sort</B></I><I>, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Psalm 17:15</B>:<I> As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: </I><I><B>I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness</B></I><I>.</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B>National Unrighteousness</B></div> <div> No true believer should be satisfied with the moral decline we see all around us. Speaking of <B>Lot</B> who lived in ancient Sodom, the Scripture says: </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2 Peter 2: 8:</B><I> For that </I><I><B>righteous man</B></I><I> dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, </I><I><B>vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds…</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Pray for more labourers in the field</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Luke 10:2</B><I>: Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: </I><I><B>pray ye therefore Jah of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Do something positive</B></div> <div> Doubtless there are scores of other things that need improvement: in the home, in the assembly, in the school, in the workplace. Wherever you look you will see things that are crying out for attention, things that make the true believer <B>unhappy </B>and <B>discontented</B>. That's not a bad thing. But don't just resort to criticism or murmuring under your breath. Get in there and help to put it right. <B>Do something about it.</B> Don't wait for others to lead out, do it yourself. Remember that the <B>only ground for criticism is - can you do better? </B>If you think you can, then go ahead and do it, because <B>murmuring is counter productive; and, what's worse, it angers Jah! </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>7. THE CURE FOR DISCONTENTMENT </B></div> <bR> <div> There is a cure for discontentment. Scripture says: </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hebrews 13:5:</B><I> Let your conversation be without covetousness; and</I><I><B> be content with such things as ye have</B></I><I>: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Proverbs 19:23</B>: <I>The </I><I><B>fear of Jah</B></I><I> tendeth to life: and </I><I><B>he that hath it shall abide</B></I><I> </I><I><B>satisfied…</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Philippians 4:11</B>:<I> Not that I speak in respect of want:</I><I><B> for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 Timothy 6: 6: </B><I><B>But Jahliness with contentment is great gain</B></I><I><B><U>.</U></B></I><I> …</I><I><B>8:</B></I><I> And having food and raiment let us be therewith </I><I><B>content.</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> But there is a better route to <B>contentment: </B>which, if taken, will lead you to peace of mind, freedom from sin, distress and discontent. That route is to<B> Jahoshuwah the Messijah, </B>the son of <B>David,</B> the <B>Son of Jah. </B>He is ever ready to accept you into his company. To be sure, none of his followers are perfect: but he is and you are welcome to join him. A story is told of <B>king David</B> of ancient Jahzrael. On an infinitely higher plane, the same is true of <B>Jahoshawah of Nazareth. </B>Here is the story: </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 Samuel 22: 1:</B><I> </I><I><B>David</B></I><I> therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2: </I><I><B>And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them…</B></I> </div> <bR> <div> Are you in distress? Are you spiritually bankrupt, with no hope whatsoever of clearing your debt? Have you some problem from which you want to run away? Are you discontented with your life, your partner, your family, your church, your job, your country? If `yes' then run to <B>Jahoshuwah the Saviour,</B> to the son of <B>David</B>, the <B>Son of Jah!</B> You can be sure that he will not turn you away. In his company you will find rest for your soul and true satisfaction. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7010400000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Matthew 11:</B><I><B> </B></I><B>28</B>:<I> </I><I><B>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</B></I><I> 29: Take </I><I><B>my yoke</B></I><I> upon you, and </I><I><B>learn of me</B></I><I>; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and </I><I><B>ye shall find rest unto your souls</B></I><I>. 30: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.</I> </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>For more info contact:</B></div> <bR> <div> The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah</div> <div> <B>5 Kanarick Crescent</B></div> <div> <B>Toronto, Ontario    </B></div> <div> <B>M3L 1P3        Canada</B></div> <div> <B>647-231-9466</B></div> <div> <B>Email: zionofjah@gmail.com          </B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://zionofjah.tripod.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://zionofjah.tripod.com"><U><B><U>https://members.tripod.com/zionofjah/</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>