SCRIPTURE
"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. But I have calmed myself and quieted my ambitions. I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." (Psalm 131)
OBSERVATION
What was happening in David's life when he penned this psalm? As the king, he certainly would have had a lot of concerns weighing heavily on his life. Matters of state and personal problems that could consume his time, energy, and thoughts. In this psalm of personal disclosure, he seems to reign back his ambitions and focus only on the things he needed to concern himself with, letting the rest go. It took humility. A proud heart and haughty eyes convince us we can concern ourselves with everything. The reality is that most everything does not concern us. Realizing that he could not do it all or have it all. The result? He found that he was satisfied, content, and secure in the presence of God (like a well-fed child with its mother).
APPLICATION
It's easy to become consumed with things I can do nothing about (the state of the economy, politics, the environment). Now, I need do my part, but I cannot do more than my part. Pride convinces me to take on more concerns than I need to be concerned about. However, when I humble my heart and focus my ambitions on the things right in front of me, without the need to do more, I find real peace and security Those "great matters" or "things too wonderful for me" can become sources of hope knowing that God will take care of everything I can't.
PRAYER
Lord, in you there is contentment and rest. I put my hope in you.
