Do you ever feel a little ill at ease? Do you ever feel frustrated with things going on in your life? Do you ever feel a little insecure? Well, I'll just step out there and confess that I sure have. This morning I was taking a closer look at Daniel, the book in the Bible, and came to a little realization that this unsettled way of life might not be a bad thing.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. Daniel 4:4

Nebuchadnezzar was the mighty ruler of Babylon and he was contented and prosperous. What could be better than this? In the Babylonian culture, life couldn't get any better than this. Most Americans would agree. This word contented is selah in Aramaic which means properly 'at ease' or 'at rest,' conveying both contentment and security. I thought this was really interesting because I tend to place a very high price on security in my own life. I tend to look for what will be the safest, most secure arrangement all the time. But my question is...If I made decisions to find stability and security, why do I feel so unsteady?

Hebrews 12:26-29 echoes the trouble with dependence on earthly securities.

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

I'm not going to discuss the full meaning of these verses, but I will say that it helps me understand why God lets things be shaken up in my life so much. If I remain content and prosperous relying in my worldly securities like academics, material wealth or even family, I will not fully understand the depth of security I have in the Lord.

Beth Moore shared, "Sometimes we don't recognize true security until all lesser forms prove false." I would have to agree with her. Until our worlds quake and things start to shatter, we have no idea what lasts. This truth helps me to be thankful for feeling frustrated with life because I'm realizing it is teaching me to live for what is truly life!

I will leave you with Psalm 62 which remarkably conveys the concept of authentic contentment.

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Labels: glory, truth