Psalm 131 - A Look at Priorities

It always seems that my blog entries are few and far between. I've given up apologizing for it, 'cause well, life happens. PLUS, my life changes enough in between these posts that it makes it more interesting to see how things have changed with me. I'm never quite sure who reads this blogs, or even if anyone reads them apart from me. Every time I write, I have the prayer that my words will be "accidently" stumbled upon and impact someone for good with only God's knowledge of it. Some crave to know whom they've impacted and although it would be encouraging to know who's life I have unknowingly touched, the fact I don't know keeps me humble. After all, this life, all of our lives are in the hands of God. Saying this, I would like to share a reflection I recently did. 

Psalm 131


A song of ascents. Of David.

 1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, 

       my eyes are not haughty; 

       I do not concern myself with great matters 

       or things too wonderful for me.

 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; 
      

     like a weaned child with its mother, 
      

      like a weaned child is my soul within me.

 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD 
 

both now and forevermore.

1. Reading the Moment: Using a segment of a passage from Psalms or Proverbs comment on what is at the surface of that segment. In other words, why does the Psalmist or the Scribe respond to God in this way?

This psalm expresses David’s commitment to God and urges the Israelites, whom he is leading, to follow his example - not for his own glory, but to be a testimony for God. For a long time, the Israelites have lived in disobedience, wickedness, lusted after other gods while trying to incorporate idolatrous practices into their covenant relationship with the LORD. David is calling the people to desire the One who desires them so much, and longs for His children to return to excellence in relationship with Him. David responds to God so willingly, with the comfort of peace, because he has experienced the enrichment of God’s faithfulness in his life. For David,God is worthy of consideration for his respect because He is the One that is the distinct feature of David’s life.

2. Reflecting on the Moment: For that same passage, engage your mind to see what is beneath the surface. What is the underlying message that impresses on you?

If I were to interpret this psalm based on simple hermeneutic (method of interpretation) found in the surrounding passages, I would put it in such modern language as this:

My heart is not deeply pleased or consumed by my own accomplishments, things, or posessions, O LORD [I am that I am],
My eyes do not hunger after things that make me and show myself arrogant or full of contempt for God [neglecting the value of humbleness], considering Him unworthy of my respect.

I do not busy myself with overwhelming issues that God does not need my help with or things that are beyond my capacity to understand or accomplish apart from Him.
I do not consider it important to lust after things that are attractive but empty in value.

I let God have control over my life.

My very identity, the essence of who I am, is undisturbed by noisy interruptions that avert my attention and is rooted in the spot that God has placed me.
It is not anxious because I have peace with God in my period of time.
Having qualities as a child who is no longer accustomed to being dependent on what the world had to offer, but has now
become accustomed to find nourishment in God.
In a manner of a child’s trusting qualities, my very identity has found comfort and soldarity in the arms of the LORD, who is my foundational source.

O Natalie, do not place your expectation, desires, goals, ambitions in the hands of people, in the images of idols that can deceive you and fail you.
Place your expectancy in God in the active present and until the end of time, For only He can grant what you are in need of.

This psalm has been on my mind and heart for over a month now. I have had it posted on my white board during this time. I first picked it up while traveling on my way back to Canada from Seoul, S.Korea. Over the summer, while doing mentoring I & II, it was a refining process that gave me hope to return to Canada and begin a new life. My present mentor and I have been mulling over these issues every week since my return. I consider this psalm a reminder of where my new priorities, my motivations and my confidences are found or at least where they should be found.

3. Responding to the Moment: Give what you have from points one and two time to sit in your heart. Allow it to grow there, letting it take you upward to God and outward to other people. What does this do to you and your outlook on life?

Simply put, this fortifies my firm belief that I cannot look to things, to my own accomplishments and possessions to give me a firm foundation in which to plant my roots. I have a miniscule want for meaningless things that clutter my life and get in the way of what is truly important to me - God. The very core of who I am and what my motivations are for living life the way I do has to find confidence, rest and peace in God, in his faithfulness. It is comforting to be able to trust in a sovereign God who will not fail me like people will, no matter how much I love them. My outlook on life holds much expectancy for the great things that God will accomplish through me. I am relieved that he does not need my help, that he is powerful enough to execute His plans alone. I have strived for so long to try and be his personal assistant when what I need to be is his divine agent, empowered with the assurance of His message of Truth. God is my compass, my nourishment, my comfort, my foundational source. He is more than worthy of my adoration, my devotion and respect. The best thing that I can do as his servant is try my best and be consistently discontent with what little the world has to offer me, craving the abundance of Life.