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;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
Psalm 131:1-2
Observation: As the psalmist considers the proper way to worship the Lord, they determine they should find a balance between the things that are theirs to consider, and the things that belong to the Lord. They will not focus on issues and things that are too high, too great, too marvelous. Instead, they will "quiet" their soul, stay calm, and like a content child in the arms of its mother they will relax into the embrace of the Lord.
Application: How often do I spend my mental energy thinking about problems and issues that I can do nothing about, but yet I will worry about them anyway? "How often" isn't a question about if I do this daily ... but how many times per day. Per hour. In fact, is this not a nearly continual state of mental condition, dwelling on issues that are far beyond my capacity to even truly consider, let alone do anything about?
As I see often, this is a matter of faith and trust. It is one thing to know that the Lord is in control and is working all things for his purposes, and for the good of those who love him. It is another thing to therefore dismiss all thought from your mind, and thus embrace a calm and quiet soul.
The issues involving the world right now are truly too big for me to address ... but they are just the right size for God to handle. I must then learn to not only trust him, but to release the issues from my own soul and relax. This is what it takes to find a soul of peace, joy, patience, and love. When I dismiss from my heart those things that are too high for me - knowing they are therefore the perfect thing for God to address - I can enjoy my father all the more.
Prayer: Lord, I do often consider issues that are frustrating in the context of your heavenly kingdom here on earth, but that actually have nothing to do with me. I yield these to you, as that is truly the only practical solution. May thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Instead, may I focus my soul on your love this day and every day, finding peace that I can pass on to others. Amen.
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