Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I stop to pray- even if my surroundings are quiet and calm, my mind is going a million miles per hour. I just can’t seem to quiet my mind down enough to pray- or even to quiet my mind in order for Him to speak to me. It’s like my mind is a wild race horse running away from it’s owner-“Hey! Get back here, I need you!”
In the quietness of my house I knelt down quietly, bowed my head- and off I went…..
“Dear Lord,
blah blah blah blah- what do I do about this, and what about that, agh! do I have to look at my sins? can I just pray? uh,my dog barking, great there’s my phone ringing …. O Jesus my heart and mind are running mad, I wish I was on a Billy Graham retreat … I have a million things to discuss talk about, ask, and an innumerable amount of prayer requests for others, is there room for me and oh my kids, and my family and I have to do my dishes and go to work and do you know what someone said to me and when can I go to the gym, oh yes, my husband, and talk talk talk talk oh yes and thank you thank you give me wisdom and Lord I’m all confused and my mind is going to fast for me to prrrraaaaaaaaay,Oh Jesus, help me calm down so I can pray.”
I sat in silence-a bit sad that I was too hyper in my mind to feel like I could talk to the Lord.
Again I asked “ Lord help me calm down so I can pray”
Kind of disturbed with myself, I got up, sat on the couch and opened up my bible to wherever. I opened up to Psalm 131— and read
“ I have calmed and quieted myself”
Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord— now and always
Wow, that’s weird……I just prayed for that. I began to read, reread, ponder and meditate until I had the entire verse memorized. After hours of studying this scripture, something supernatural happened. It was amazing. How can I explain it????? I felt as if I was underwater swimming – in a beautiful place- quietness surrounded me and my soul was calm. My mind was refreshed and silenced as I looked in awe and wonder of God’s great creation. Quiet… beautiful..
To prepare my mind and heart for prayer, I always stop to meditate on this verse.
Walk with me through the scripture……….
Psalm 131
Lord my heart is not Proud,
I don’t consider myself above others, this only leads to restlessness. I don’t hunger for adoration or attention. I consider Moses, the most humble man on the earth. I put others first. This humbleness and contentment allows God’s leading in our life. I don’t need to prove myself to others, but the Lord is my security.
I keep far from pride and check my heart for any hidden pride that may have snuck in. Uh ooo- everytime I meditate on this, it’s as if the Lord opens my eyes to hidden sins I didn’t see- maybe unforgiveness that snuck in, the way I treated someone, not putting Him first, or wrong motives. Father keep me humble and non judgemental. Teach me to live like Jesus, seeing others greater than I and being a servant to others. Let me not seek fame, wealth or anything this world has to offer, but give my life and heart and mind to the Lord.
My eyes are not haughty
My eyes do not condemn others. I don’t think I’m better than other people. I put others first and consider them. Have I been selfish? Have I looked down on someone else because of the way they look or dress? Lord, forgive me for my pride and help me live with a humble heart. Put others first – this is the way to lead others to Christ. Teach me to die to myself and let Christ reign in my life.
I don’t consider myself with things to great for me to grasp. Neither do I concern myself with great matters,Nor with things too profound for me.
I put my life in the Lord’s hands and trust Him. I bring my thoughts, anxieties and my unanswered questions captive to Jesus. I don’t worry about matters that surround me, for I know the Lord takes care of me. I remember Isaiah 51:12 that reminds me not to worry about the words of defeat and despair around me, but to put all my trust in my heavenly Father.
Sure, I want all the answers….but patience is key as well as bringing thoughts to Christ.
Don’t sit and worry- why? how? what if? what’s going to happen? what will they think of me? Don’t worry and don’t be concerned with these things. Think only of things that are true, God honoring, worthy of Praise, trustworthy, holy, thankfulness, noble and virtuous (Phil 4:8) bringing all things up to Him in prayer.
I have calmed and quieted myself
Ahhhhhh – that feels good to be calm and worry free. God has calmed my heart. It is like diving into a beautiful ocean deep within the sea. There is quietness and calmness around me. My heart is calm and quiet as I am surrounded by His Glory and beauty. In Wonderous awe, I am silenced as I see the beauty that surrounds me. There I am, surrounded by His awesome works and His mighty Power.
Be calm and quiet- Fix your thoughts
Like a weaned child with his mother
My complete trust and faith in Him grows more and more each day. I know He takes care of me and will always supply all my needs. I don’t need to throw myself on the ground, kicking and screaming about what may happen tomorrow. I know the Lord will supply and surround me with all the grace I need for each day.
Like a child who fully trusts in his parents- who doesn’t need to worry about tomorrow- so is my soul within me.
Like a weaned child is my soul within me
Just in case it didn’t sink in the first time, the bible repeats this for confirmation.As a content child, so is my soul- fully trusting, content, and calm. I am like a child who has everything he wants or needs. My heart is calm and content. I have everything I need in Christ Jesus. I am happy, content and quiet- and so is my soul. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me, He guides me, He restores me and prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.
Dear Child of God, you can put your trust in Him. O Lord, I put all my hope in you, now and forever.
( I’ve been tested on calmness the entire time I’ve been writing this post. My teenager decided now would be the perfect time to have a meltdown about sport tryouts, my dog hasn’t stopped barking, I got locked in the office as I was writing because the doorknobs fell off then my entire computer shut down and everything disappeared- then my side dish I made for dinner has mysteriously disappeared and now I have to cook again. hmmmm)
Scripture to meditate on:
Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid
Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust (confidence) is your strength
Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Zechariah 2:13 Be still before the LORD, all people, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Exodus 14:14 :The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Mark 4:39 : He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm
1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price
Job 6:24 TNIV :Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
1 Peter 3:11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it
Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1:2 but who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night.
Psalm 77:12I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” -they are constantly on my thoughts, I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
Ps.119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart.
Psalm 119:48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
Psalm 119:78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
Psalm 145:5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works
Psalm 107:43Let all who are wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.
Psalm 111:2Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Isaiah 51:12: I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
Psalm 27:14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield
Psalm 37:7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 38:15 LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you
Psalm 130:5I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
We wont hear the Lord’s voice if we are so busy, anxious, worried, hurried and stressed. The Lord is always speaking to us. I always hear- as if it is a light rain always falling “I love you, I love you, I love you” he showers down upon us throughout the day.
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen Romans 16:20
Ancient Paths 