Tag: Psalm 131

Not God

1 Chronicles 23-25, Psalm 131

We are going to be in the Psalms today.  [Personally, I did not pick either of my children’s names from the Chronicles reading, but if you are looking for some unique names, there are lots of options here!]

I have been reading a book with my small group looking at the concept of how we are not like God, and how that is a good thing.  There have been a variety of topics related to this, but one thing that has been a common theme is how we humans strive after some of God’s attributes, and that when we do so, we inevitably fall short, and often these shortcomings lead to issues when we think we should have been able to do it.  And I think that is pride.  We pride ourselves on being able to take care of ourselves, to know things, to understand things, to create things, to do X, Y, and Z, but we cannot do things to the extent that God does.

1b 
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
[…]

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

Instead, we can rely on God to lead those things that are too great for us, we can find rest and comfort in Him.  We can be content and thankful of our limitations because we have an amazing Father with no limitations.

I actually wrote a devotion on this Psalm a couple of years ago, and it was interesting to see how my perspective has changed based on what I am going through, what other things I am reading, etc.  Some of my thoughts are similar, but some are focused on another area.  And that reminded me of another thing from the book – how because of God’s limitlessness, we always have more to learn about Him, from Him.  We can keep reading through the Bible over and over and there is always more for us to glean, always room for us to grow closer to God.  We need to view ourselves with humility to realize we aren’t done growing – there is always room for improvement.

And I think you balance that with contentedness of being ok with our place as limited humans while still trying to grow closer to our great God.  We can be content while still seeking to become more Christ-like as Jesus was and is God’s reflection to us.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some of God’s amazing attributes that you enjoy and strive for in your own life?
  2. Where have you seen your own growth: in learning about God, drawing closer to Him and emulating His attributes? How would you like to grow next? What can you do to help you with that growth?
  3. What contentment do you find knowing you can rely on God to be God and you can’t and don’t have to? Enjoy relying on Him today!
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The Search for Knowledge?

Old Testament: Amos 7-9

Poetry: Psalm 131

New Testament: Matthew 17

Our Psalm reading starts today with this verse:

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.

When reading through this, I had two thoughts on this first verse from different perspectives.

  1. Do we sometimes try to understand things that we just really can’t understand?  There are some people who want to know the answer to everything.  And searching for knowledge isn’t inherently bad.  But does it become so much of a priority that it is leading you toward pride?
  2. On the other hand, do we let this become an excuse to just say “well, I guess we can’t know” and give up on the pursuit of truth and knowledge?

I think there probably has to be a balance between these two things.  When I don’t know the answer to something (that I believe to be unanswerable – not like a math problem that has a clear answer), it just doesn’t bug me.  I know other people who just have to know and they spend so much time searching and studying and still not finding answers which frustrates them.  But I do let that be an excuse at times to not search for an answer and give up on something that I could know more about.

The passage goes on to say, “But I have stilled and quieted my soul […] O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.”

That’s the key.  Our hope shouldn’t be found in knowledge.  Our hope should be in the LORD.  We should be at peace with the things that are above our understanding.  But I also think we should try to know the LORD as best as we can with our human minds.  In John 17:3, it says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  Eternal life is to know God and His Son Jesus.  And we can’t know Him if we don’t spend time pursuing Him even if we can’t have all the answers.

So we should be doing what we can to know and understand God, but also let go of our desire to have the answer to everything, humble ourselves, and live in peace knowing that God’s ways are greater than our own.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there some information you are content not knowing? Like what?
  2. Have you ever found yourself struggling with pride because of what you do know? How can you practice humility instead?
  3. What do you think God wants us to know about Him and His Son?
  4. Do you ever misplace your hope and put it in yourself and all you know and can do – instead of in God? What is the remedy?
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