I Have Quieted My Soul

November 25

Daniel 9-10

Psalm 131

Proverbs 28:10-11

1 Peter 5

I Have Quieted My Soul

“O Yahweh, my heart is not exalted, and my eyes are not raised high;  and I do not involve myself in great matters, or in matters too marvelous for me.  Surely I have soothed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.  O Israel, wait for Yahweh from now until forever.”  Psalm 131 LSB

This psalm is short, but profound.  It describes someone who is peaceful and content because they trust in God.  It begins by proclaiming humility and rejecting pride and ambition.  They do not have a sense of self-importance or aspire to positions beyond what God has planned for them.  They recognize that God is sovereign and His will is best.  Instead of questioning God’s plan, they submit to Him and obey.  This is not suggesting that all ambition is bad, but rather that our priority should be to do God’s will.  If we are walking closely with Him, then He will guide our steps.  This will result in setting goals and working hard to achieve them, but they will not be for our own selfish ambition but will be to glorify God and serve Him.   “Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 LSB  When we get to the point where we are completely convinced that His way is always best and we recognize that we don’t have the benefit of omniscience and foreknowledge like He does, then we are willing to set aside our agenda and submit to His.  “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 LSB    Unfortunately, often our head may acknowledge it, but our sinful, selfish nature has a hard time going along. 

There are few things more peaceful than a baby that has just finished nursing and is resting in his mother’s arms.  There is contentment and rest with no fear or anxiety, just peace.  When my girls were little, nothing made me happier than to sit and hold them while they slept peacefully in my arms.  Those were precious moments.  They trusted me completely to take care of them and meet all their needs.  I’m sure God wants us to trust Him that way.  It makes Him happy to know that we are resting in His arms and that we trust Him to take care of us and meet all our needs.  The psalmist said that he had “soothed and quieted his soul.”  If he had to consciously quiet his soul, his external circumstances must not have been peaceful and easy.  He also talks about waiting on Yahweh which implies that he is waiting for deliverance.  He had to choose to trust and wait on God.  “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV   God’s Word is one of the best ways that we can soothe and quiet our souls because it reminds us of His faithfulness and love.  Instead of worrying or being afraid, make a conscious effort to rest in the arms of your heavenly Father today.