Encouragement for Today - Sept. 24, 2010
September 24, 2010
Composed and Quieted
"O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me." Psalm 131:1 (NASB)
Devotion:
I watched the young mother deftly work in her kitchen, amazed at all she could accomplish with one hand. In her left arm she tenderly cradled her little one. With her right hand, elbow, shoulder and hip she opened drawers and shut doors; she pulled out cups, saucers, and spoons; she scooped coffee and poured water.
While Juan Valdez's aroma filled the air, she gathered pastries from her pantry and other refreshments from her refrigerator. When silence replaced conversation, she hummed a quiet melody into her baby's ear. Finally we sat down to enjoy our mid-day visit and I realized her tiny infant had slept through it all, mindless of the constant noise and swirling activity.
Oh, to rest in such peace while all around me chaos reigns. What secret lay hidden in that little heart?
The chapter which contains today's key verse offers the answer- such a short and simple Psalm, yet it says it all, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother..." (NASB).
I long for an escape from life's challenges. Sometimes the force and frequency with which my trials torment me threaten to undue me.
I've been tested and tried this year to the point that I thought, "If the barrage doesn't let up, I am a goner." I held up my hand in the stop position and screamed out to God, "No more! Have mercy. I'm undone! How am I supposed to juggle all this?"
In that instant God whispered, "Like a child rests against his mother, quiet your soul."
Then the Master Artist sketched for me the picture I described earlier. His reminder recalled a young mother tenderly and safely holding her baby, while all around, life's responsibilities increasingly swelled.
Sweet friend, do you feel like you are losing your footing? Are you struggling to conquer the chaos? If you are like me you are on the brink, throwing up your hands and screaming, "I give up!"
That's good! Give up.
Yes, that is what I said.
Give up and like a child in her mother's arms, trust and rest.
Some matters are too complicated for us to figure out. Let God open and close the doors. Believe that He will prepare and provide. He created you, His precious child. He is protecting you in the crook of His strong right arm.
Father God, Your Word assures me that You are a strong shelter. You don't give me more than I can endure. Out of obedience I believe You and rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
From the Pound to the Palace Children's Book or Story on DVD by Van Walton
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
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Application Steps:
Purposefully plan thirty minutes into each day with a goal to sit quietly. Begin this time speaking to the Father, "Like a child I rest in You. I trust You to take the matters to great for me and place them under Your authority."
If needed, repeat the above-mentioned prayer until your soul is "composed and quieted."
Reflections:
What areas of my life are too great for me?
What steps can I take to shed the burdens of my difficulties?
Who can I ask to pray with me and hold me accountable to give my burdens to God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:7, "For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." (NLV)
Psalm 131:2-3, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever." (NASB)
1 Corinthians 10:13, "…you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it." (NCV)
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