Contentment is like a double-edge sword. In life we need to work hard to achieve and better ourselves, and so if I am content I might not have the drive to do so. But if I am solely focused on my goals and aspirations I may forget to appreciate my current blessings and never be at peace. So true contentment requires a balance to be happy where you are, and to trust in where you are going. The result of such a balance is a crown of peace, or as it is said in today’s quote – you will have a crown called “content”.

“My crown is called content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.” – William Shakespeare, King Henry VI

We find this quote in Shakespeare’s King Henry VI, and although it has a sense of wisdom to it, it is not really Biblical. The words in this play were spoken by a deposed King Henry who had an encounter while wandering the countryside. He was simply stating that he was content not being the king, and that such contentment was not afforded a king who invariably has much responsibility and care. So what does the Bible say about contentment?

The Apostle Paul has a famous passage about being content, where he says that he knows how to be exalted and how to be abased, how to be both full and how to be hungry. His point: ”Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”. (Philippians 4:11 NJKV). Yes, Paul had learned the secret of true contentment and how to balance the seeming contradiction that being content presents. And that secret is no secret at all; it is faith.

Like Paul of old, we can walk that same path of contentment today. He has taught us that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and in that he is referring to the small things and the great things. This is how we can be content: have trust that God is with you today in your current circumstance, and that He holds your tomorrow in His hands. In this you can be happy for today and aspire for tomorrow in contentment.

So as we trust in the Lord, today we can wear a crown that is called content, and tomorrow we can wear the crown of eternal life. Be still, that is content, and know that He is God. And if you have the chance, Philippians 4 is a great read.

See more William Shakespeare quotes.

  It was hard to not think about Israel this week with the news coverage of President Obama’s and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting and press conference. Add the latest developments with the situation of Iran and it’s easy to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. No, today’s post is not going to be political (well maybe a little).

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.” – Psalm 122:6 NIV

It’s common knowledge that the USA is undoubtedly Israel’s strongest supporter and ally, but what few people may realize is that such love and support comes with a promise. The promise is, that for those who pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem, God will provide security and prosperity. Yes, our nation is going through some hard times and the future may not look good, but as long as the USA remains committed to Israel, we can be assured that we can have a brighter tomorrow. The flip side is also true: if we as a nation are to abandon Israel, and abandon the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then we are sure to fall.

Here are some different Bible versions of Psalm 122:6.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” – Psalm 122:6 KJV

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” – Psalm 122:6 NKJV

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” – Psalm 122:6 NAS

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all go well for those who love you.” – Psalm 122:6 NLV

Thanks to Brooks from Texas for inspiring today’s quote. Our iPhone and Android Bible games have a Feedback feature, so we frequently get feedback notes from players telling us what they like, what they’d like to see, or if they found a bug or some other type of error. Great stuff, we love it! We got a note from Brooks last night about the famous lambs lying down with lions quote.

“And the lion shall lie down with the lamb.” – Contemporary Quote, Not Bible

I would say that 99% of the people you ask would say that this quote can be found in the Bible. As a matter of fact, when we added it to our Bible games, I went to the Bible to find the source. Yes, I knew exactly where in Isaiah to go, but to my disappointment it wasn’t there. And so I checked different versions; King James, New King James, NIV, NAS, and others. Not in any of those either. So what’s the story?

Like many of today’s sayings, such as “you cannot change a leopard’s spots”, “pride goes before a fall”, “a drop in the bucket”, the quote “the lion shall lie down with the lamb” does have its origins in the Bible. However, the saying has morphed over the centuries to what we see and hear today. The original concept comes from these two passages in the book of Isaiah.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” – Isaiah 11:6 NKJV

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” – Isaiah 65:25 NKJV

So the quote is more closely, “the wolf shall lie down with the lamb” or “the leopard shall lie down with the lamb”. But of course, given that the lion is considered to be the king of beasts, and creates a greater contrast between predator and prey, the lion won the day. And so today when we seek peace, we look to the image put forth by the quote the lion shall lie down with the lamb as our picture of heaven.

Another popular lamb and lion quote made famous by the latest Robin Hood movie is “rise and rise again until lambs become lions“.