A Calm and Quiet Soul
Dear COAH,
As you know, we’ve been going through the Psalms during EMP (Early Morning Prayer) on Saturdays at 7am in the Agape Chapel. I encourage you to join us as we come together as a community! Last week, I got to share on Psalm 131. Wow, we’re be wrapping up Psalms by the end of August! I love reading and meditating on the Psalms because it draws out honesty, a desperation for God, and many times I resonate with what the psalmist writes. David wrote this short, yet, impactful 3 verses. Here’s what he says:
1 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.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
David is reflecting honestly on his refusal to give in to pride or anxiety. He doesn’t dream about becoming famous or powerful or fixated on things beyond his control. His attitude is marked by humility (Verse 1 - go back and read it). Instead, David has “calmed and quieted [his] soul (verse 2). There are so many examples in the Psalms (and all of Scripture) that shows us how God draws near to those who embrace this calmness and quietness of soul. Why? Because this heart posture communicates trusting in the Lord, not in one’s own plans and ways.
I love the imagery of what it looks like to calm and quiet our souls. It’s like a weaned child with its mother. This image is so real to me as I see our almost 2-year daughter looking for her mommy especially when she’s distressed and crying. And how with a warm embrace, and just holding her tight, almost immediately she becomes calm and quiet. That’s the Lord for each of us. He has got you in His loving and gentle arms. He’s holding on to you in those times of trouble. He’s got you in His strong and comforting hands in times of need. It’s in those moments of pause amidst the chaos, it’s in those moments in the Word and prayer, it’s in those moments when we lay down our pride and our plans and look to our Father; that’s when we’re reminded of how God calms and quiets our souls.
Humility is the key to experiencing this calm and quiet. It takes a calm soul to think well. It takes a calm soul to choose and make decisions well. It takes a calm soul to speak well. It takes a calm soul to act well. And it takes a calm soul to stay spiritually healthy; to be in awe of God and find satisfaction in Him.
As I have been meditating on Psalm 131, God is using His Word to refresh my soul. I had to repent for trying to figure things out in my life without trusting in Him. I was reminded of the importance of humble living (knowing my limits, not attempting to carry more than I am able to). And I see the Lord restoring and renewing me as I return and look to Him. Only then can I, and all of us, truly resonate when David says, “Hope in the LORD”.
Brothers and sisters, what in your life is pulling you away from saying, “I have calmed and quieted my soul”? May you find true rest in the Lord as you run into His loving arms. May you find calm and quiet for your soul.
With blessings,
Pastor Tim