Psalm 131
1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.
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 marvellous 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. (ESV)
How do we attain to peaceful trust in God?
1. Put off the old man
a. Pride, identified by:
(i) Glorifying in your own talents and abilities.
(ii) Desiring the praise of others more than we want God’s praise.
(iii) Being more offended by one who question your authority rather than when God is offended.
(iv) Being more willing to talk than to listen.
b. Worldliness
Friendship with the world is enmity against God. (James 4:1-4)
c. Occupation with too great and marvellous things.
We must come to a point where we realise our own finitude.
God’s judgements are a great deep (Psalm 139)
Moses exclaimed in Deut. 29:29: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Law.”
2. Put on the new man:
a. Calm and quieten your soul.
Humbling yourself, turn and become like children – hunger and thirst after righteousness.
b. Hope in the LORD.
The Psalmist want Israel to share in the Almighty God – through faith hoping in God.
We have got to cling to God like a drowning person clings to a lifebuoy.
What is the foundation on which your hope is founded?