“O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore.” Psalm 131 (NRS)
Do you find it interesting that we humans are always hoping to find something that will deliver us out of present dilemmas? We want the big score – the million dollar prize – the Hollywood contract. It is as if we are alone and some earth-shaking event is the only hope for our situation.
The great Prophet Elijah temporarily succumbed to such thinking (1 Kings 19). Queen Jezebel was seeking to kill him. He ran and hid in a cave on Mount Horeb. Forgetting the miracle of Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), Elijah’s humanity overcame his hope in the power of God. Jezebel’s threat of death suddenly became greater than God’s power to save. So, trying to deliver himself, Elijah began running. But his feeble power failed him and Elijah became tired and sleepy. To his credit, Elijah was running to the mountain of the Lord, but even in going to God he needed the strength of God to help him get there. Twice, the angel of the Lord came and strengthened him. Then, in Mount Horeb’s cave, Elijah’s despair overcame him. God decided that Elijah needed a powerful event to change his perspective . . . but God was not in the wind — and God was not in the earthquake – and God was not in the fire. Then, God quietly whispered to Elijah, giving him detailed instructions for duty and encouragement.
When we calm ourselves, “like a weaned child with its mother,” then the BIG event of God’s whisper will bring assurance and deliverance into our lives. Let us hope in God “from henceforth and for ever.” Hope in God alone!
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Empower us with unending faith and hope. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in God’s big event,