June 15, 2025 - Psalms 131-135

A lot of unrest and trouble in the world and in our nation, these days.  It would be wrong not to be concerned about it all.  It would be wrong not to try to right the wrongs.  But it would be wrong, certainly defeating, to throw our hands up in despair and just sit around waiting for the next troubling news.  David’s words are particularly helpful, here.

      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 and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me (131:1-2).

This is not some sort of que sera, sera attitude (“Whatever will be will be.) sort of fatalism.  Rather, it is a good and settled resting in the One who rules over all and who is bringing about all his good purposes even if the events of the day seem to say otherwise.  Like the newly fed and now contented child rests in his mother’s arms, so the child of God rests in him.

Lord, for ever at Thy side

Let my place and portion be:

Strip me of the robe of pride,

Clothe me with humility.

Humble as a little child,

Weaned from the mother's breast,

By no subtleties beguiled,

On Thy faithful word I rest.   –James Montgomery (1822)