Psalm 131 says “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother...”

Would that describe you?

In the midst of this upsetting, tumultuous and disturbing cultural moment, whether you like what’s going on or not, are you anxious, fussy, demanding, neurotic? Are you like a fussy baby, emotionally distraught and clamoring for his mothers milk?

David Powlison, in writing on Psalm 131 says “This composure is learned, and it is learned in relationship with God. Such ‘purposeful quiet‘ is achieved, not spontaneous. It is conscious, alert, and chosen. It is a form of self mastery by the grace of God: ‘I have calmed and quieted my soul.’”

When you have this particular “form of self mastery by the grace of God,“ what does it look like?

The first verse says “Oh Lord, my heart is not lifted up (read “proud”); my eyes are not raised to high (read “haughty”); I do not occupy myself with things too great and to marvelous for me (read, “I have learned that I am not God”).”

Do you see that here he catalogs three opponents of a quiet soul: The first is pride. The other is “lofty eyes“ which have contempt for and look down on others, and the third, frankly, is thinking that you are God - chasing matters that belong to God. (You know, like changing other people’s hearts, or controlling the future).

But when you are humble, with the humility of Jesus; when you view your fellow human beings with the understanding that all people are created equal and that we are all leveled by the cross; and when you let God be God and you stand in awe of his great and marvelous deeds, Then you are set, now, to “self compose“ and “self comfort.“

You do that by resting in your relationship with Christ, with gratitude for who he is what he has done for you. You are grateful for what he has given you, and you become like a child who rests and trusts his mother.

And guess what? When you do, something remarkable happens. We discover in the third and final verse something amazing. David engages in Hope giving ministerial conversation with others. Isn’t that interesting? The third and final verse says, “Oh Israel hope in the Lord, now and forever.“ He is saying to anyone who will listen “I am at rest and you can be, too, because our God is a God of hope.” He urges anyone who will listen to hope in the Lord now, tomorrow, and forever.

I wish for this reality to be a dynamic part of your life. I wish that that you will be at rest and at peace. But not simply for your own personal, self absorbed contentment. I pray for much more in you – that you would be at peace so that you can model and speak in “ministerial conversation” to others and say in a variety of ways: “Hope in the Lord.“ If they hear you and respond in hope, it will change that person’s life. And then it will change the world. Isn’t it great when that happens?

Musings from Pastor John, June 21 , Click to Email Pastor John