Daily Devotional

This fifth week in our Rooted class homework we were directed to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us, with no other specifics. Just ask, and wait several minutes. We have done this a couple of times. As I waited, resting, there came this instruction—to compose and quiet my soul. I knew that phrase was used in Psalm 131. But I waited a little longer, allowing that directive to soak into my soul. Then came the word, “You need to do this more often.” There was an immediate assent in my spirit. I knew it was a need, so I plan to take this heavenly admonition to heart.

The next day I realized that I needed to clean the cup tray on my Keurig coffee machine in the garage. I tried to wipe it with some paper, but it only stuck to it. It was like tar. So I set it in the sink to soak. An hour or so later, what I could not even budge with my thumb nail washed away easily with a little water and some soap. So it is, I believe, with our souls. Sometimes we need to sit and “soak” in the water of the Spirit and the word. Like in 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.
–  Psalm 131, NASB

When we do “soak” in such truth things clear up. Most mornings I would rather go out like a shot and attack my tasks. And sometimes I do that, and get a lot done in a short period of time. But more often my heart actually needs me to stop, wait on the Lord, and compose and quiet my soul. After that, my perspective is much clearer, and I see well past the tasks that I am tackling. I see the kingdom of God first, then all else settles in around that, each part fitting into its proper place.

The Lord told Jeremiah not to seek great things for himself (Jer. 45:5), which is our inclination. David, in Psalm 131, declares similar things – my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty, nor do I involve myself in great matters, or things to difficult for me, which is our bent. Instead, he composes and quiets his soul.

What is the result? Now, as a resting, weaned child with its mother, he can hope in the Lord. Not only for that morning, but forever. He is seeing clearly. It reminds me of love, in 1 Cor. 13. All the great, gifted exploits are as nothing without love! Only in love are we truly prepared to not seek great things for ourselves. Only then we are ready to exercise gifts of prophecy, miracles, move mountains, make great sacrifices, and yet seek nothing for ourselves. This is the arena of Spirit power, life and fruitfulness.

In that arena, we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace (Is. 55:12-13). The very trees and mountains will recognize our harmony to work in their presence for the Kingdom of God. And all we do will be an everlasting memorial to the Lord!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving gathering this year. May it be a setting of love, with composed and quieted souls all around. Not quiet people, just people with quieted souls.

Read: Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 13
Sing: He Hideth My Soul, Fanny J. Crosby (William J. Kirkpatrick)

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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