STILLED AND QUIETED
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Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven, you have overseen every moment of my past and you have planned each minute of my future, all for my good and your glory. I thank and praise you for your loving care and for your purposes for me.
Read PSALM 131
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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
Heart, eyes, soul—bring them all to quietness before the Lord.
CH Spurgeon wrote that this psalm was one of the shortest to read and one of the longest to learn. Breastfeeding is a most precious gift that a mother gives to her child, who knows only the law of demand and supply—and that law’s instrument, which is crying. There comes a time, however, when the child must be weaned; it cannot remain forever at the breast. David pictures his headstrong self, sitting contentedly, like child and mother side by side. This contented David is much different than the one shown in 2 Samuel 11 when he sees Bathsheba. The difference stirs up some questions: Am I in charge of my heart, my eyes, my soul? Can I bring them to quietness? Does fear of missing out and incessant distraction dog my life?
David does not have too low an opinion of others. He does not have too high an opinion of himself. His life is in full flow—in Psalm 130 he is watching and waiting for mercy; Psalm 132 pictures a major task of finding a suitable place for the ark of God. In between and throughout these tasks, there is a need for David and for Israel to put their hope and trust in the Lord. Whatever long-term or short-term tasks are facing you, take today, this Sabbath, this day of rest, to quiet your soul and receive strength for these tasks.
Apply
Is there something that you must learn to do without? Renew your contentment and trust that God is working all things together for your good.
Closing prayer
Lord God, your plans for me are beyond my imagining. Whatever course you have chosen for me, help me to have confidence that you will provide all that I need.
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