Psalm 131 caught my heart's attention years ago, and I've come to it once again. My Bible has given this chapter the heading of "Simple Trust in the Lord." The second verse reads as follows:
"Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me." (NKJV)
Often times, a nursing baby cannot snuggle up close to Mommy without wanting to nurse, unless they've just been fed or are asleep. They will "root," fidget, and become agitated. Unless trained to a schedule, they will want to nurse every few minutes, and will not be happy unless you do so! Those sweet little ones can become extremely demanding! Isn't that often how we are with our Heavenly Father? Constantly wanting.... not restful and content with what we have, but agitated and seeking something more. Makes me think of another verse that simply says, "Be still..." Here in Psalm 131, we have the picture of a resting, contented child, enjoying the presence of its mother, calm and quiet. There's no anxiety shown over when the next provision is coming. Rather, we see "a simple trust," and complete relaxation and contentment. Help us, Lord, to follow the example of David. Help us to calm and quiet our souls - our minds, our wills, our emotions - as we soak in Your Word, in faith believing, claiming Your promises, purposing to obey. Enable us to be as a weaned child with his mother - not restless and searching for more, but relaxed, contented, fully at peace, simply trusting in You. Godliness,
with contentment, is truly great gain!
The next little short chapter is Psalm 133, and talks about brethren dwelling together in unity - the beauty of it. It tells us what this unity is "like." I find it helpful to apply this to every area of life where I deal with other human beings - and that almost takes in every area! Try this suggestion as you look at it: Make two lists. Title the first one "What oil is like, including its purposes" and the second "What is dew like, including its purposes." It opens up that short psalm beautifully, and gives me motivation for pursuing this unity. It's something of great value!
Lastly, we have another short psalm, Psalm 134. The first two verses (of its three) reads, "Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord."
The phrase that strikes me today is "...who by night stand in the house of the Lord." Think about the word "night." This servant of the Lord has what is commonly the least desirable work shift - working through the night. They are required to be awake and alert when it's dark, when you can't see, when you're tired. They experience that darkest hour of the night that comes just before the dawn - the one that seems to last forever. Darkness often brings a sense of gloom, sadness, depression, or fear. Darkness puts one at considerable greater risk for injury; you can't see where you're going. You can't see the source of that unexpected noise that makes your heart jerk in fear. Darkness seems to make one much more aware of pain. Any night shift nurse can attest to that. Pain that was tolerated during the day becomes difficult to handle in the dark, when all is quiet and still. Weariness becomes more acute.
Another word to explore is the word "stand." This is not only the servant of God who "has the night shift," but they are
standing through the night. Not sitting, not crumbling to the floor, not asleep in the corner, not cowering in the closet. Neither are they scurrying around running into things, stubbing their "toes," and further endangering themselves and others. They're not scrambling around in a panic. They're simply standing. These additional verses shed more light:
Galatians 5:1 -
Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (This fits well with the discussion a few days ago about Freedom Fences.)
Then Ephesians give us a good picture of
how we can accomplish this ... how we can stay standing - all through the night!
Ephesians 6:13-16 - Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darks of the wicked one."
If we know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then we are, indeed, a "servant of the Lord." And every one of us will sometimes be called on to work through the night. It may be a bright, sunshiny day now in your walk with the Lord, but night will come. It's part of life, the rhythm and flow of it, God's way of weaving the bright threads with the dark, creating an amazing thing of sheer beauty. But remember one more thing when you're in the night season. The night never lasts forever. After the night comes the morning. The sun rises once again, throwing its rays into every valley and dale. Always. And joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)
The Lord just gave me another neat thought. Over in Hebrews, we're told to "Strengthen ... the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed." The question comes to mind - Which path is easier to follow, especially without hurting yourself, in the dead of night, when it's pitch black? The one with turns and twists in it, or the straight one? Obviously, the straight one! So since the Lord knows the night seasons are needful, He tells us, in advance, to "make straight paths for
our feet!"
This wonderful little psalm clearly gives instruction to this night worker. The Psalmist seems to know they're going to need it! The night servant is told to lift up their hands and bless the Lord! Isn't that quite a thought?! That's not exactly our normal response to "drawing the night shift," is it? This blessing of the Lord becomes, then, our sacrifice of praise, lifted up through heartache and tears. And this very praise enables us to enjoy an acute, incredible awareness of His presence with us ... all through the night. For the Lord literally inhabits the praises of His people! (Psalm 22:3)
So the next time you're called on to "work the night shift," or if you're there now, remember these truths, hold them close, meditate on them, and lift up your hands and bless the Lord!
May God add His blessing and shed His light on the study of His Word. May we be like Ezra, and purpose in our hearts to obey!
