"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." Psalm 131:1 - 2
It was a busy weekend from start to finish. There was work around the house and the church. There was sports. There was an opportunity to use the smoker which turned into a work project all its own (pellet grills and water don't mix well if the pellets get wet). There was a great deal of traffic on social media about this and that reflecting the news of the day and the upcoming football games. I made the mistake of saying Tom Brady should have remained retired and gone out with his dignity intact.
When it came time to go to church, my mind was occupied with all kinds of things - things done and yet to be done. Psalms 120 - 134 are fifteen chapters of the Book of Psalms all connected under the title of "The Songs of Ascents." They reflect the pilgramage to the temple in Jerusalem including entering the temple. The pilgrim entered the temple after ascending to its heights in the city and then took the steps to ascend to worship. These songs each represent a phase of the journey.
Psalm 131 is a journey within. That part of the journey that is inward. How do we approach the living God? According to the psalmist, we surrender the outside world. Issues are brought to God and left there so our minds are clear. David writes this psalm dedicated to his frame of mind (king of Israel) as he approaches the Lord. It is the only psalm in the series written by David and in 132, the psalmist speaks of seeking God like David did and finding a dwelling place for the Lord.
What is our attitude as we approach God? One of humility as well as one of quieted souls. We pray as we approach God for humility as well as for peace within. That peace provided by His Son is there to quiet our souls as we seek strength, comfort and forgiveness.
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