HOPE IN GOD ALONE
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, sometimes my mind is scattered in a thousand directions. I want to center on You today. Be still my soul.
Read 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.
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Allow yourself a moment of stillness. This may be difficult depending on where you are and who you’re with! But try to take some time to be still in God’s presence: ‘Lord Jesus, please meet with me today.’How do you normally spend your Sundays? Are they a frenzy of activity, church services, and entertaining people? Or are you able to take time to rest, recover, and rejuvenate your faith in God?
David, who wrote this psalm, knows the importance of focusing on God alone. His humble posture and thoughts (v 1) reflect a man who knows the most important place for his focus (v 3). He was a busy man with lots of responsibilities, but he ‘calmed and quietened’ his soul, like a young child with their mother (v 2).
In the last couple of days, we have looked at Moses and the midwives: people who, like David, needed to know God and experience him in the difficult situations they faced. Jesus, too, took time out to be with God (Mark 1:35). So should we! Let’s not allow misplaced pride in our own abilities to distract us from depending on God, day by day. We need him more than anything else!
Apply
How we spend our time is a reflection of the things we value and where we are investing our hope. What can you change about your day or week ahead to demonstrate your hope is in God alone?
Closing prayer
Lord, in Jesus Christ You have brought me out of death into life, out of despair into hope. Thank You that hope brings the joy of new beginnings.
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