Embracing Humility and Contentment in God

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David begins by declaring his humility before God, stating, "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty." He understood the biblical principle that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. This humility was not just before God but also before others, as David did not consider himself superior despite his accomplishments and destiny. [00:03:34]

David chose not to pursue things that were too profound for him. He did not set his focus on promotion or position above what God had appointed for him in his present season. So he said, "Lord, I don't concern myself with great matters nor with things too profound for me." [00:07:23]

Jesus taught us that when we are set in a lower place, instead of scheming and fighting and working so hard to raise ourselves in the estimation of others, we should simply accept a lower place. Jesus spoke of that in Luke chapter 14, verses 8 through 11. [00:09:02]

David determined to find satisfaction and serenity of soul by being content with God and His works. Those who feel constantly driven to do more and to achieve more in their relationship with God should learn some of what David learned here. [00:13:21]

David phrased this with an emphasis on what he did. Notice he said, "Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul." Now, of course, David would understand and explain that it was ultimately the work of God within him to do this, but even God's work was vitally connected to his own will, to his own choices. [00:14:31]

A weaned child embraces his mother out of a desire for love, a desire for closeness, and a desire for companionship. This was a powerful poetic expression of David's humble desire to draw near to God. [00:15:31]

The weaned child comes to realize that the denial of one of the mother's gifts does not mean the denial of the mother's presence. That weaned child comes to love the mother herself instead of putting the focus on the gift that the child receives from her. [00:19:00]

What David wrote here of was contentment with God that maybe didn't come naturally, but through victory over what comes naturally to us and the habits that are associated with previous experience. [00:20:02]

May God wean us of our self-sufficiency, may He wean us of our self-will, of our self-seeking. May God wean us properly so that we draw near to Him, and closer than ever, but not necessarily demanding anything from Him. [00:21:05]

God's people could only learn and live the lesson David sang of in this short psalm if they were to truly set their hope in the Lord and nothing else. Nothing or no one can give the same assurance other than having our hope in the Lord. [00:24:39]

The decision to place one's hope in the Lord must have a beginning point from this time forth, but from there on it should go on forever, never ending. [00:25:28]

Jesus received all of it with a calmed and quieted soul. Why? Because of the depth of relationship with His God and Father. Jesus had this complete contentment in God. Now here's the good news: you want that in your life, don't you? [00:26:00]

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