Devo 12: Psalm 131

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

131 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Devotional Thought:

NYC draws some of the most ambitious people in the world. We want to “make it” here and make it big time! Yet one of the perils that can come with seeking success and greatness is pride and self-seeking. And often paired with that are anxiety and discontentment. This psalm helps us fight that by telling us to calm and quiet our own souls, like a weaned child with its mother (a child who no longer nurses but is content just being with its mother) we would be content to know our God and to be near Him. Instead of pride hearts and eyes that look down on others (v.1), what if real success was like what Jesus said of Mary in Luke 10:38-42? Someone who is content to sit next to Jesus and listen to his teaching instead of someone who is so busy trying to serve Him? Jesus says to Martha, who was busy trying to serve Him, ““Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” That’s why this psalm once again finishes with a call to hope in God, we have a sure hope and certain future in Him not one based on our accomplishments.  

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we confess we are often prone to find significance in our busyness and accomplishments instead of finding it in You. Help us to rejoice that you have counted us your children and rest in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Paul said in Phil. 4, teach us the secret of contentment, and to be able to do things through You who gives us strength. Amen.