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Topic: Rest (06/14/04)
TITLE: Too Wonderful By Brenda Kern 06/17/04 |
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I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul...
--Psalm 131:1-2
I have the above passage on a little laminated card I carry with me everywhere, and I've decided I want it on my tombstone.
David wrote these words, King David. He led an entire nation, as only the second king, in times of upheaval with "war on every side." Yet he says he doesn't concern himself with great matters.
He defeated enemies all around him (famously starting with Goliath), enjoyed a close friendship with Jonathan, led a fierce and loyal group of "Mighty Men," had many wives and children, and triumphantly brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, yet he says he doesn't concern himself with things too wonderful for him.
How can David say such things?
Part of the answer is there in verse two: I have stilled and quieted my soul. If any believer is concerned with matters (great or small) or things (wonderful or not), that concern can cloud the heart and stir up the soul. David had found the true key to rest--to still and quiet the soul.
And more of the answer is in verse three: O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
When great matters press in on you, put your hope in the Lord.
When you find yourself concerned with things, even wonderful things, put your hope in the Lord.
And how do you decide what is "too wonderful"? The trick is letting HIM determine where to draw the line between too wonderful and just wonderful enough. This would be another way to define the word "trust."
So...
Still and quiet your soul.
Put your hope in the Lord, both now and forevermore.
Trust Him.
And rest in the wisdom on a little laminated card.
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Brenda Kern
June 16, 2004