July 4, 2011

Psalm 131 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 7:36-50, Colossians 2:1-5, 1 Chronicles 7-8

Journal Entry

Scripture

1 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.
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.

Observation

I wonder if this psalmist has gone through life's trials, the “wrestling” with God as Jacob did to get what he wants but now he has come to a place of humility before God, knowing He doesn't deserve any good thing from God because of his sinfulness but God has been merciful and forgave him with life to this point. Now he is content in trusting God and waiting on him, like a weaned child calmly staying by his mother's side, trusting her to provide him his needs.

Application

When an infant is hungry, he will cry and cry until he gets his mother's milk. But as the child gets older and is weaned, the child will wait for his mother to give him the food she deems good for him to have at the time he should have it. Sometimes I am like the unweaned child. I pray to God to “give me this” or “give me that” like an infant desperate for the mother's milk instead of waiting on God and trusting Him to know what and when to give me the good things He promises in the Bible. So today, instead of being desperate for my “wants,” I will wait on the Lord's provision and His perfect timing.

Prayer

Dear Lord,
You are the God who created me and gave me life for a purpose and a reason. Thank you for your faithfulness in providing for me always. Help me not to fret or be anxious for immediate gratification when things arise but instead calmness and patience, trusting You to provide what I need when I need it. In Jesus name I pray.

--Kathleen Hong