Psalm 131 A childlike trust

Trust God! With prayer and supplication make your requests to the Lord and then rest in His peace!!

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

When we come to God in prayer, declaring who we know Him to be, our hearts see God in the true light of His goodness. 

When it comes to prayer, one of the best ways to begin is by declaring God's holy name! Jesus taught this when He taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 6:9, He said, "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

We align our hearts to see His greatness and strength. We pray to our loving Father, who is high and enthroned in heaven and whose holy name is to be remembered and praised forever and ever. Amen! First5

This from Henri Nouwen does my heart good. “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 

For a New Year Resolution, I’ll take Howard Thurman’s reminder with me...
“When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.” Sabbath Moments 

Psalm 131

1 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. 

2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, 

Like a weaned child with his mother; 

Like a weaned child is my soul within me. 

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord 

From this time forth and forever. 

The New King James Version

This individual psalm of confidence—expressing trust in God—focuses on the experience of internal calm. The psalmist begins by addressing Yahweh personally and stating his submission to Yahweh’s order, declaring that he does not seek to understand things that are closed to him or too hard for him to comprehend. He then describes his inner discipline and compares his soul to a weaned child content to be with its mother. The psalmist concludes by exhorting Israel to hope in Yahweh like he does. Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 131 is a psalm of trust, is one of four songs of ascent attributed to David. The structure of the poem is as follows: (1) a statement of humility (2) a portrait of trust(3) a call for hope. 

David presents himself with genuine humility, a delicate balance between self-abasement and arrogant pride. From the life of David we know that he was not always able to keep this balance. But it was his desire, and at times—by God’s grace—a reality in his life.

The image is that of a child who is no longer unsettled and discontented, but one who is at peace and trusting in his mother, who is there to comfort and to meet his needs. The NKJV Study Bible

The psalmist aimed at nothing high or great, but to be content in every condition God allotted. Humble saints cannot think so well of themselves as others think of them. The love of God reigning in the heart, will subdue self-love. Where there is a proud heart, there is commonly a proud look. To know God and our duty, is learning sufficiently high for us. It is our wisdom not to meddle with that which does not belong to us. He was well reconciled to every condition the Lord placed him in. He had been as humble as a little child about the age of weaning, and as far from aiming at high things; as entirely at God’s disposal, as the child at the disposal of the mother or nurse. Matthew Henry

We must become as little children, Matthew 18:3. 

Matthew 18:3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

It is good to hope, and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord under every trial.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 130:7 

O Israel, hope in the LORD;

For with the LORD there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

Psalm 101:5 

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,

Him I will destroy;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,

Him I will not endure.

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

3 John 1–4 walking in truth

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh and the only way to the Father. God’s unmerited and undeserved grace  was given to us through Him. 

Faith plus nothing equals a lifetime of being taken into the Body of Christ and fellow heirs of the promises of God.

True  faith will work by love.

Colossians 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

He has forgiven ALL our trespasses. Every sin committed by humanity was forgiven in His crucifixion. We can only enter into His salvation by faith. 

Under grace God blotted out the ordinances against us. The Law was was nailed to His cross. The Law provided guidance for how man should live but no power to keep them. Jesus fulfilled all the law and crucified them now we naturally through love do them in the indwelling of Holy Spirit. We are not under condemnation but under grace.

We become dead to the law by the power of Holy Spirit that we should bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in us.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:1 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Grace is the unmerited and undeserved favor of God. We now stand fast in the liberty where Christ has made us free. Don’t be entangled again in the law but go boldly to the throne of grace. Only by Christ are we saved. All the doctrines of man are useless and powerless to save anyone.

When speaking to His disciples before He was betrayed, arrested and crucified, He declared, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). Elsewhere Scripture tells us not to be surprised about trials and tribulations that come our way but to rejoice that we get to share in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-13).

We can learn to rejoice in the midst of our trials because of what they are doing in us: developing steadfast perseverance, endurance, character and hope (James 1:2-4;  Romans 5:3-5). And we can remember that Jesus not only said we'd face tribulation … He also declared, "But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33c).

May even the hard times of life draw us closer to God, making us more like His Son. First 5

3 John 1–4

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. The New King James Version

The author commends Gaius for his commitment to the truth of the gospel and for showing hospitality. Faithlife Study Bible

The Elder is the apostle John. The Gaius to whom John wrote was a Christian in one of the churches of Asia Minor. 

The reason for John’s prayer is the testimony of others that Gaius walks in the truth. Truth here refers to the body of truth given to the church through the apostles and prophets, that is, the Scripture. Gaius walks according to the Word of God rather than the ways of the world.

To walk in truth means to walk according to God’s Word, the revelation of His truth. 

In these verses John affirms Gaius’s responsibility to assist Demetrius despite the opposition of Diotrephes and his expulsion of those who received traveling missionaries. In the first part of this section John says that Gaius’s support of itinerant preachers should be continued in order for him to be a fellow worker in the truth. In the last part of the section John promises that Diotrephes’s opposition will be addressed by him when he arrives. Meanwhile, John endorses Demetrius as a legitimate teacher who is deserving of shelter and support. The NKJV Study Bible

1 Corinthians 4:14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

2 John 1 The Elder,To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

2 John 4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received a commandment from the Father.

Hosea 6:1.2.3. Believe in the power of God to save

God desires mercy more than our sacrifice and knowledge of Him  more than offerings.

He longs for us to acknowledge our sins and return to Him. In Christ we have peace with God. Eternal love is ours to accept.

Micah 5:2 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.”

No greater love exists!

The moment Adam sinned we became a soul with a sin nature and the body began to age and die. The moment we believe that Christ died for our sins and know that Christs’ birth, death and resurrection put to death the power of sin and the old nature in our life we are at peace with God. The flesh will never overcome the spiritual we need to be regenerated by the power of Holy Spirit. 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Hope cannot see; it only believes. Hope moves beyond trusting God's capabilities to resting in His character.

Faith quietly believes in God's faithfulness when circumstances insist He must be absent. No matter how far we have strayed or what poor choices we have made in a panic or out of unbelief, when we return to God, He can yet turn them for good. First5

So. Let us make space for awakening,
restoration,
prayer,
stillness,
compassion,
delight,
wonder,
generosity of spirit,
wisdom
and respect for all life.
And yes, let us make space for peace... 

Because "Peace is our gift to each other." (Elie Wiesel) SabbathMoments 

“We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2 NKJV).

You know, people see signs of God every day. Sunsets that steal the breath. Newborns that bring tears. But do all who see the signs draw near to God? No.The ultimate aim of all God’s messages, both miraculous and written, is to shed the light of heaven on Jesus. Max Lucado

Hosea 6:1.2.3.

6 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. The New King James Version

After being torn by the divine lion, the people would come to their senses and seek to renew their allegiance to the Lord. The reference here is to a short time period. 

When God’s people truly repent, God is eager to restore His relationship with them. The people’s hope for revival was consistent with God’s ancient promises through Moses. God’s restored presence and blessings would be like the rain that waters and renews the earth. The latter rains of Israel came in the spring and caused the plants to grow. The former rains came in the autumn and softened the ground for plowing and sowing. The NKJV Study Bible

Those who have gone from God by consent, and in a body, drawing one another to sin, should, by consent and in a body, return to him, which will be for his glory, and their good. It will be of great use for support under afflictions, and to encourage our repentance, to keep up good thoughts of God, and of his purposes and designs concerning us. Deliverance out of trouble should be to them as life from the dead. God will revive them: the assurance of this should engage them to return to him. But this seems to have a further reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us admire the wisdom and goodness of God, that when the prophet foretold the deliverance of the church out of her troubles, he should point out our salvation by Christ; and now these words are fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ, it confirms our faith, that this is He that should come and we are to look for no other. 

Here is a precious blessing promised; this is life eternal, to know God. 

The returns of the favour of God are secured to us as firmly as the return of the morning after a dark night. He shall come to us as the latter and former rain unto the earth, which refreshes it, and makes it fruitful. 

The grace of God in Christ is both the latter and the former rain; and by it the good work of our fruit-bearing is begun and carried on. And as the Redeemer was raised from the grave, so will He revive the hearts and hopes of all that trust in him. The feeblest glimpse of hope in his word, is a sure earnest of increasing light and comfort, which shall be attended with purifying, comforting grace that makes fruitful. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:39 

‘Now see that I, even I, am He,

And there is no God besides Me;

I kill and I make alive;

I wound and I heal;

Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

Hosea 5:14 

For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,

And like a young lion to the house of Judah.

I, even I, will tear them and go away;

I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.

Hosea 14:4 

“I will heal their backsliding,

I will love them freely,

For My anger has turned away from him.

Joel 2:23 

Be glad then, you children of Zion,

And rejoice in the LORD your God;

For He has given you the former rain faithfully,

And He will cause the rain to come down for you—The former rain,

And the latter rain in the first month.