Day 814: Psalm 131- Childlike Faith

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.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.
 
Meditation
God’s tender care invites us to have faith like a child, total trust in the love, provision, and protection of our Heavenly Father. Jesus prioritizes childlike faith (Matthew 18:1-4), a true invitation from His unmerited grace.
 
Childlike faith embraces humility as a chief virtue. Pilgrims singing Psalm 131 were shaping their souls for worship in their ascent to Jerusalem for festivals, feasts, sacrifices, and celebration. The sins they cast off were pride (1a) and presumption (1b). The first considers oneself more highly than we ought to, while the second undervalues others. We cannot help but recall the words of Philippians 2:3 where Paul writes, “Complete my joy by doing nothing from selfish ambition… but in humility consider others better than yourself.”
 
Childlike faith is dependent yet mature. Dependent because our souls are quieted by our Father’s love (2a), knowing He will protect, provide, and care for us. Childlike faith puts 100% of hope in our Father, now and forevermore (3). Childlike faith is also mature, not childish and unable to feed oneself. The emphasis of the Psalmist is a “weaned” child (2x in vs 2), a maturity that no longer worries about what was once essential.
 
Jesus Himself models childlike faith in John 4 where He demonstrates total trust in the Father while explaining to the disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). Truly, “Whoever humbles himself like (a) child is the greatest in the kingdom” (Matthew 18:1-4).
 
Richly Dwelling
-What is the most inviting part of childlike faith?
 
-How does your pride and presumption hinder your total trust and full hope in our Father? How can you cast them off?
 
-Jesus demonstrated childlike faith and wants to give us the gift of His grace. Specifically, how can you rest with more total trust in God’s goodness and care, fully hoping in Him?
 
Key Verse
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.