Psalm 131
Psalm 131 (NIV, ©2010)
Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
both now and forevermore.
How often do I focus on my achievements? My spirituality? Apart from Christ, my works are as filthy rags! I regularly need to be reminded that my eyes need to come off me and focus on the Lord Jesus and His holiness. All of my great plans and projects are worth nothing apart from the Lord. No matter how hard I strive, without Him I have nothing. I need to trust the Lord to direct my paths and I need to be willing to do whatever He sets out before me. How many times have I had a restless night because I was stressing about how I was going to make something happen?
Verse two holds so much comfort for me. A still small voice won’t be heard over a noisy commotion. Stopping to calm and quiet myself allows me to hear when the Lord is speaking to me.
As the mother of five, the picture of a weaned child came alive for me. When a mother holds a new baby to her breast, the child fusses and roots and struggles until it gets what it wants. The baby doesn’t have peace until its wants have been satisfied. A weaned child, however, can be snuggled into its mother’s breast and find comfort and security. This babe is not searching for anything, but is satisfied in the comfort and security of resting in the arms of its protector and provider.
What a perfect picture of when I try to live and achieve for myself and when I choose to just rest in Him.
Verse three is a promise. It is reassurance. We can trust God to take care of us. He knows all of our needs and He knew them before we did. In all things, God is there for us if we will only rest in Him.
Thank you, Lord, for the comfort of your arms and the hope I have in you through your Son, the Lord Jesus.