”But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Psalm 131:2New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 131:2 Devotional
Calmed and Quieted
According to the Psalmist, the child in Psalm 131:2 is calmed and quieted. Most likely lying on the mother’s lap. It is weaned, thus not anxious for milk from the mother’s breast.
Therefore, its needs are fully met and it is grown enough to not worry about being fed. Thus the calmness and quietness of it. Meaning that calmness and quietness are signs and symptoms of contentment in the Lord.
Contentment can be either externally or internally motivated or triggered. That is, satisfaction can either be motivated by your circumstances or your faith in God (Philippians 3:8, Psalm 16:11 and 43:4).
That’s why David made himself like a weaned child. He chose to be content.
Thus he ended up confessing that his inner soul was not stormy and noisy. Instead, his soul was calm and without noise. A beautiful description or illustration of tranquility and stillness that was from within. Inward, not outward.
Meaning that God has given you and me the responsibility to take charge of our emotions. We do this by controlling our thoughts.
Thus we calm ourselves when we remind ourselves of the truth about God. But if we fill our minds with all the problems in our lives and in the world, all the things that aren’t working the way we would like, and all the things that could go wrong, we’ll never be calm.
We can also choose to focus on God. The reminder that He is in charge, in control, and in command of our destiny, places us in a position of receiving His peace. Ideally, God should enable you to be content.
Thereafter, your contentment will be the foundation for your resting in God (Psalm 37:4 and Philippians 4:4).
Prayer
Lord, You are my contentment! Help me be content with You. In this way, I will be calm and quiet. This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessing
May you be calm and quiet, or simply contented, in God. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Ezekiel 22-24 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
