Book Review: ‘The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment’ by Jeremiah Burroughs

The grass is nowhere greener than when we submit ourselves humbly and completely to the plans and purposes of Almighty God. Even just in the title of Jeremiah Burroughs 1648 work, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, we are told that contentment for the Christian is precious and valuable, and that it is uncommon.

For my part, reading through this book took five months, nearly to the day, and inspired a great deal of reflection and meditation on what my attitude toward setbacks, disappointments, and trials says about my heart towards God and what I believe about God. 

There is a great deal of merit to the questions Burroughs asks throughout this work. Am I more fixed on my afflictions or the mercies God shows me? Do I trust that God is holy, wise, good, and gracious toward me, and do I believe God’s grace is sufficient for me?

Whether the topic is poor health, professional setbacks, economic woes, political turmoil, conflict with people, or uncertainty about what the immediate future holds, I found in reading this book that I have not before grasped the extent to which contentment is closely related to my faith in the character and promises of the Lord.

Yet even in the closing remarks Burroughs leaves off with, in some of the final lines of the book he admits that it is easier to preach about contentment than it is to fully grasp and understand contentment. And that, along with assurances we have in God’s Word that he gives more grace and his strength is shown perfectly in our weakness, is a great comfort.

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