Scripture Read: Psalm 131, 132
Key Verse: Psalm 131:3
“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore”
Observation:
It sounds so easy, to hope in the Lord forevermore, to rest easy and let his peace wash over you. To be able to rest no matter your current circumstances, that’s my definition of contentment, which Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:12. I have chased contentment for most of my life. It sounds easy, because it really is. Its just hard to live…everyday.
Application:
Why is it hard to live that out? For me, I don’t rest easy and sometimes it feels like I don’t rest much at all. Mentally my brain is always spinning, either worrying about the past or anxious for the future. Now part of that may be my German, Type A, A.D.D personality (I know how much that shocks those who know me as a peaceful tranquil man…LOL ). But I dare to say most of it is due to my impatience, my lack of trust and faithfulness in resting in God’s will. My wife on the other hand, though she is ALWAYS in motion, knows how to rest in God. Her Faith is unbelievable and her trust that God will provide is truly amazing! I envy her ability and commitment to STOP and just seek God and that faith is repaid as God speaks directly to and through her. It doesn’t take great ability to hear God, it takes great faith. But we will never know that until we STOP doing and start LISTENING. This is where hope comes from.
God often speaks in the opposite way we want him to. If we tend to spring into action then his voice comes when we rest. If we tend to wait for the whole picture to be seen, then his voice comes when we get in motion.
Prayer:
God I ask that you will speak to me and our church family in a way that makes it clear that it is your voice. That we would Listen for you, Hear what you have to say and then Do what you ask. Help us to place our hope in you.
By Dan 217staff team
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.
But I have calmed my spirit and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 131
Psalm 131 holds the secret for something we all desire and seek, but many of us can never grasp: our soul at peace, contentment. Three things will cause turmoil in our souls: 1) pride- thinking too highly of ourselves 2) envy- never being satisfied with what we have always wanting the next big thing or what others have 3) anxiety- worrying about the what if, the things we can’t control. These three things are me centered. Me trying to manipulate the world around me to get the result I want, this always leaves my soul wanting. Instead we need to put our hope in the Lord. This gives our soul the peace and contentment that we so desperately desire. While at times I have struggled with all three of these contentment killers, but the third is my true bane.
I am a worrier. I don’t know if I was born with an anxious nature or if it is a by-product of the environment in which I grew up (most likely a mixture of the two), but I get myself worked up over things that are beyond my control. This can lead to a crippling effect in my life. I seek the way of least resistance. I avoid conflict with others, even when it is necessary. Many times I choose comfort over calling. This becomes a main cause in many of my problems vocationally, relationally, and spiritually. So this is how I will seek to quiet my soul. I can’t worry about what others think of me or how the choose to react to me, because I can’t control that. But I will carry myself in an honorable manner, treat others with dignity, and exhibit a love for them that Jesus has shown to me. I won’t worry about an unstable job market and cling to the crumbs of “security” that are thrown my way to the detriment of my family and my calling. I need to step out in faith toward the calling on my life, knowing that God will provide where he leads. I know that I can only control the steps I take each day and my attitude towards them. God is in control of the macro. My responsibility is for the micro. If I don’t occupy myself with things too great for me and fill myself with the hope of my Savior, He guides, He provides, He strengthens, He comforts, He loves, He is all powerful, He is in control. Only God can give me the peace I seek and He will, I just need to let go of the worry and trust him.