December 12, 2016
Life is filled with noise. Our old and constant Enemy orchestrates a cacophony of confusion around us. If we are not careful, we will fall right into his trap, and the results will be deadly. The commotion in our soul can easily distract us from simple, pure intimacy with the One we most desperately need.
The secret of David's spiritual success was his determined choice to quiet his soul, explained to us in the three short verses that compose Psalm 131.
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. 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.
David knew his limitations. Years on the Judean hillside had taught him the absolute necessity of solitude. Therefore, when thrust into the limelight of national politics and public ministry, he humbly did what he could without neglecting intimacy with the Master. To lose this was to lose everything.
BE STILL, MY SOUL
Our soul is composed of our mind (where we think), our emotions (where we feel), and our will (where we decide). If we are not careful, these faculties can pull us in a thousand directions and create so much noise that the still, small voice of the Lord is undiscernible.
The serious follower of Christ must renew his mind, tame his emotions, and surrender his will to the will of God. And this must be done daily, hourly. This is possible through grace and the power of the Spirit, but it is something we must consciously choose. Without this determined resolve, we will live a soulish, not a spiritual, life.
This is why a determined, daily time in God’s presence is essential to the spiritual life. Our devotional life must not be one more frenzied duty checked off to appease God. We must slow down. Get quiet. Walk into the throne room with the Father and shut the door, turning our attention to Him through the use of His Word, prayer, and meditation. We must get quiet enough to hear His evaluations of our life, feel Him washing the grime of our sin and the world off our feet, and speak the words of life to our needy souls.
The greatest among us are those who know how to retreat to the breast of Jesus—daily, hourly—in short moments of prayer in a busy schedule, early hours of extended solitude, and deliberate days of scheduled intimacy.
A WEANED CHILD
The results are stunning for those who deliberately refuse the noise. David said, "Like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me." In other words, his mind, emotions, and will were leaning in to encounter Christ, to listen to His heartbeat, to feel His warmth and affection. To hear His voice and find God-initiated direction. This is the abiding life, the rested, intimate life. This life is connected to an inexhaustible source and filled with extraordinary power.
Christ is waiting for you, even right now. “Come aside and rest awhile,” He offers. His invitation is not merely for you but for Him, for He longs to enjoy His children. He gave His life so you could draw near.
Father, I come to You now. I enter Your presence and shut the door to all that is outside. My mind is focused on You, my emotions are laid before You, and my will is Yours to direct. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with Yourself. Let me drink of Your presence. Renew me, wash me, cleanse me, redirect me. Let me not only receive Your wisdom but be overwhelmed with Your lovingkindness. All of my joy is found in You. I rest in You and am at peace.
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