Psalm 131

[Al Moak]

Psalm 131

This psalm may very possibly have been conceived shortly after a great military victory, a victory in which God's people had been spared by means of God's wonderful and overwhelming intervention from a terrible defeat. David, their king and leader in battle stood humbly bowed in the tabernacle before their merciful Lord to lead the people in worship.

He knows the victory was not due to any of his own remarkable prowess or legendary strength and agility.  He is profoundly aware that GOD had intervened and that the victory was solely due to His love, mercy, and miraculous power.  The armies of Israel had been able to stand still and watch as the Lord worked.

So David stood before the holy place of God's presence.  He was aware that even though he might entirely prostrate himself with his face to the ground, it could not be low enough considering the awe and reverence he felt before his awesome God.  It's that attitude that he expresses here when he quietly and reverently sings, "My heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty.  Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me!"  His self awareness had faded before the mighty Jehovah, and he has therefore "calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me."

In that spirit, then, he turned to the people and sang, "O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever!"

Have you ever felt that way?  Have you had occasion to be truly awed by God's wonderful intervention in your life?  Perhaps He's just given you the man or woman of your dreams - a thing that had seemed impossible to you.  Or perhaps you've just been promoted in your job in a way and at a time when it could not have been expected - so that you KNEW it was the hand of God.  The list could go on and on.  But the important thing is that  you've been made aware of GOD in a new and profound way, a way that will make a difference in your life from that time on.  May it be so!  May we often be made aware of His love, His power, and His presence!  And may we realize that He's ALWAYS with us!

[Jenny]

U.K. 1.40 p.m.

Thank you Pastor.

This is a lovely Psalm.  I have found it speaking to me at different times in my life also.

Now I do hear God's voice speaking to me again through this Psalm. I am not able to do the things I used to do in the churches in this city.,For a time I was stressed that my body wouldn't take me to those things anymore...until I was able to be as a "weaned child" again and to "quieten my soul", not to concern myself with "great matters".

The Lord looks on my heart and my endeavours to do even the smallest tasks for Him....

           "My change will come."

I will "hope in the Lord"..."surely I have quieted my soul".
Thank-you dear bro. and Pastor.

God Bless you.
Jenny.

[Pat]

Have you had occasion to be truly awed by God's wonderful intervention in your life?

I've felt that way often and I believe that all Christians should have felt this way.

Even Salvation itself is a reason to feel this way.

He was aware that even though he might entirely prostrate himself with his face to the ground, it could not be low enough considering the awe and reverence he felt before this awesome God.

What a thought, Alan!  Even prostrate himself with his face to the ground--not low enough considering the awe and reverenc he felt...  Thanks for this wonderful thought.