Passage Read: Psalm 128-131
Meditation Verses: 131:1-3
Thought
What a picture and what a challenge! Like a weaned child rests against his mother, so David has composed and quieted his soul within him. A young child resting against his mother is a peaceful image indeed. He hasn't a single care in the world. He knows nothing of the rigors, worries or cares of the adult world. He's completely at peace, nothing to worry about, resting against his mother. That's the trust and faith and rest David has attained as king of Israel, as a one who once fled for his life from his king for no fault of his own. A mighty warrior in his own right! I haven't a tenth of his challenges and troubles and problems, but I live like I'm at the edge of being overwhelmed at any moment--by my own challenges and by the troubles of this world. David's secret was to humble himself, to see how humble and helpless he truly was, so that he didn't take on himself anything beyond his capacity and responsibility. Why worry about things I have no power over? Why worry about things that have no eternal value? Why worry about things that have no effect on my future in Christ's presence? To worry about such things, to think I can insert myself into them is an expression of pride and haughtiness. I think too highly of myself. I'm attempting to step into the realm of God, as if to rebuke Him and do what He clearly is not willing or able to do.
Application
If I want to experience real peace, I have to trust fully in the Lord and leave His things to Him and my things to Him too! There are so many things I can get worked up over, so many things I can worry and fret about, things near to me and things far from me. I don't need to worry about anything, but take my requests to the Lord with gratitude, and leave them with Him to do as He pleases. If things go well, if things go according to my hope and desire, I can rejoice; if things go an entirely different way, even if they blow up completely, I can trust in the Lord to direct me and guide me through them. And if those things cost me my life, that is the best outcome of all. There are things I can do, there are things He has commanded me to do, but the results I need to trust to God, and trust so completely that I don't fear the worst-case scenario. I could experience the peace of a young child resting against his mother, if I humble myself, cut down my perceived field of responsibility to those things which God has actually given me to control (which is not all that much!), and trust God to work His will and accomplish His goals through whatever circumstances surround me.