SOAP 10/08/2014; Psalm 131:1-3

Today's reading: Ezra 9, 10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

S) "¹ O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
² Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
³ O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever."

Psalm 131:1-3 (NASB)

O) This is a short psalm, but there is a lot here to examine. What David has basically done, is tied peace to humility. He started by humbling himself, not letting himself get caught up in things beyond his control. He acknowledged his limitations in circumstances too big for him. The effect, then, is a quieted soul, which he compares to a "weaned child" who is at rest with his mother. That term, "weaned child" means this is no longer a baby, he's talking about. The child is old enough to experience a bigger world, old enough to observe some of the chaos, danger, and strife in the world around him. However, the child is young enough to still be comforted by the proximity of his mother. This is like a toddler, able to recognize things that are too big, too scary for him, but he still has every confidence and faith in the protection and provision of his mother. The result, as we see in the final verse, is hope. David is acknowledging that things are too big for him, but not for the LORD, his Father God.

A) Like David, I see things in my life that are big and scary. I can try to put on a brave face, but really, there are things in my life that are simply beyond me. There are matters in my life that are too great for me, too difficult. So, I humble myself to remove my focus from problems too big for me. I quiet my soul, remembering to rest against my Father God. I place my hope in the LORD.

P) Father, I am impotent in great matters. There are fights I cannot win, circumstances I cannot navigate. I humble my heart, and lower my eyes, and I will not involve myself in matters too great for me. Help me to quiet my soul, resting against Your great strength and security. Let me rest in Your protection, Your assurances. I will place my hope in You alone, from this time forth and forever. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.