Jesus was asked a most perplexing question while He was in Capernaum by His disciples. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18.1-4).[1]
Jesus was not saying we need to become a child again, nor should we act like a child. But He is saying we must have faith and humility like a child. A willingness to trust the way a child does and just obey what God asks us to do. It is not that we would have a great position in heaven, or be someone of great importance, but we will be someone with rewards that when tried by fire will last and not burn up (I Corinthians 3.9-15).
David writes this short Psalm for us to help remind us how to have this childlike faith. It starts by remembering who we are, our purpose, and Who has placed us here. Within this Psalm we can find the very things which cause the fall of man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The way we stay ahead of these sinful things is by communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer and the reading of His Word. For, by reading His Word and hiding it within our hearts will help us to not sin against Him (Psalm 119.11).
David’s desire is to keep his heart (spiritual) focused on the Lord and nothing else. He says, “I do not want my heart lifted up.” In other words, please do not let me have a haughty or prideful heart, one which allows me to think I am something or someone when the truth is I am nothing.
Along with his heart, David is concerned about what he sees as well, what he is letting into his life. He understands how important as well as problematic this can be for a person. His eyes saw a woman they should not and they led him down a road no king should have to go down (II Samuel 11-12). David does not what his physical life, his flesh to get out of control. It must also along with his spiritual life (heart) remain focused on what God wants for him.
Finally, David is concerned with himself in general, his inner being. Pride, that part of us that if we are not careful can take control and cause us to do things we were never meant to do. David’s plea is to not be occupied with things beyond himself, out of his control, too high or low for him. He wants just what God wants for him, as it should be with each one of us. Our hearts desires should be to serve God and God alone. But many times, we look for things outside our realm, far beyond our abilities and then wonder why we have failed. It is not because God does not love us or could not make it so we could do it, but it is not what we were meant to do.
Look at Saul for an example in Acts 9, he was on his way to persecute more believers of the Way, and God reached down and spoke to him, changing his life forever. When God asked Ananias to go to Saul and heal his eyes, Ananias questioned God about Saul. God’s replied, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9.15-16, ESV).[2]
David’s soul was at rest in God (Psalm 62.1), and his soul was quieted. Why? Because, he was in the Lord’s will, doing what God had called him to do. It is not because he was a perfect man, a sinless man, or even the best man. But he was a man willing to obey God no matter the cost.
Are we willing today to be this kind of person, one who will obey God no matter the cost? One who will put all our focus on the Lord of the universe and not ourself? Will we remove those things which have drawn our attention away from God and return to Him? Desiring to spend time in His Word and communicating through prayer? Will we all ask God to give us rest as only He can? Taking on our burdens, and cares and carrying the load which was really never meant for us in the first place.
Our hope must be in the Lord. We must have childlike faith in God, knowing He will do all He has promised, “from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 131.3). No matter how difficult things might appear God is still in control, He still knows the outcomes and all the choices we are about to make. This does not mean we should not seek His face, but on the contrary, we must come before Him more earnestly to know how and what the will of our Precious Lord and Savior will be. It is then and only then we will truly be at rest and peace in the Lord. Childlike faith and humility comes when we are willing to lay everything at the feet of Jesus Christ and let Him lead us each and every day.
Application
1. What are your hearts desires? Is it the world (money, cars, homes, job, school, family, etc…) or is it God? Before you answer think carefully and be honest God already knows the answer. Explain where you are.
2. Which one of the following is difficult for you to control? (Could be more than one)
a. Lust of the Flesh (Heart—Spiritual)
b. Lust of the Eyes (Physical)
c. Pride of Life (Inner Being—All about me)
Explain the issues and how you are having difficulty control this aspect of your life.
3. Do you have any rest and quiet in your soul? If not why? What do you think you can do to help you gain this rest and quiet? Please explain?
Prayer
Lord, Almighty God, Savior of My Soul, I thank You for even considering me to be a child of Yours. Life can be and is a struggle. Days go by when I feel alone and afraid, not knowing what to do. Lord I want this rest and peace that David had, and I know it only comes from walking closer to You. Lord help me to stay focused on You, Your ways, and Your thoughts. Help me to have Your thoughts in my life, and let Your Ways be my ways. Lord, help me to resist the Devil and the fiery darts he will throw my way, trying to draw my attention from You. I thank You for Your strength and protection, Your mercy and grace. May Your hand move in my life today, in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 18:1–4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 9:15–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Jesus was not saying we need to become a child again, nor should we act like a child. But He is saying we must have faith and humility like a child. A willingness to trust the way a child does and just obey what God asks us to do. It is not that we would have a great position in heaven, or be someone of great importance, but we will be someone with rewards that when tried by fire will last and not burn up (I Corinthians 3.9-15).
David writes this short Psalm for us to help remind us how to have this childlike faith. It starts by remembering who we are, our purpose, and Who has placed us here. Within this Psalm we can find the very things which cause the fall of man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The way we stay ahead of these sinful things is by communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer and the reading of His Word. For, by reading His Word and hiding it within our hearts will help us to not sin against Him (Psalm 119.11).
David’s desire is to keep his heart (spiritual) focused on the Lord and nothing else. He says, “I do not want my heart lifted up.” In other words, please do not let me have a haughty or prideful heart, one which allows me to think I am something or someone when the truth is I am nothing.
Along with his heart, David is concerned about what he sees as well, what he is letting into his life. He understands how important as well as problematic this can be for a person. His eyes saw a woman they should not and they led him down a road no king should have to go down (II Samuel 11-12). David does not what his physical life, his flesh to get out of control. It must also along with his spiritual life (heart) remain focused on what God wants for him.
Finally, David is concerned with himself in general, his inner being. Pride, that part of us that if we are not careful can take control and cause us to do things we were never meant to do. David’s plea is to not be occupied with things beyond himself, out of his control, too high or low for him. He wants just what God wants for him, as it should be with each one of us. Our hearts desires should be to serve God and God alone. But many times, we look for things outside our realm, far beyond our abilities and then wonder why we have failed. It is not because God does not love us or could not make it so we could do it, but it is not what we were meant to do.
Look at Saul for an example in Acts 9, he was on his way to persecute more believers of the Way, and God reached down and spoke to him, changing his life forever. When God asked Ananias to go to Saul and heal his eyes, Ananias questioned God about Saul. God’s replied, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9.15-16, ESV).[2]
David’s soul was at rest in God (Psalm 62.1), and his soul was quieted. Why? Because, he was in the Lord’s will, doing what God had called him to do. It is not because he was a perfect man, a sinless man, or even the best man. But he was a man willing to obey God no matter the cost.
Are we willing today to be this kind of person, one who will obey God no matter the cost? One who will put all our focus on the Lord of the universe and not ourself? Will we remove those things which have drawn our attention away from God and return to Him? Desiring to spend time in His Word and communicating through prayer? Will we all ask God to give us rest as only He can? Taking on our burdens, and cares and carrying the load which was really never meant for us in the first place.
Our hope must be in the Lord. We must have childlike faith in God, knowing He will do all He has promised, “from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 131.3). No matter how difficult things might appear God is still in control, He still knows the outcomes and all the choices we are about to make. This does not mean we should not seek His face, but on the contrary, we must come before Him more earnestly to know how and what the will of our Precious Lord and Savior will be. It is then and only then we will truly be at rest and peace in the Lord. Childlike faith and humility comes when we are willing to lay everything at the feet of Jesus Christ and let Him lead us each and every day.
Application
1. What are your hearts desires? Is it the world (money, cars, homes, job, school, family, etc…) or is it God? Before you answer think carefully and be honest God already knows the answer. Explain where you are.
2. Which one of the following is difficult for you to control? (Could be more than one)
a. Lust of the Flesh (Heart—Spiritual)
b. Lust of the Eyes (Physical)
c. Pride of Life (Inner Being—All about me)
Explain the issues and how you are having difficulty control this aspect of your life.
3. Do you have any rest and quiet in your soul? If not why? What do you think you can do to help you gain this rest and quiet? Please explain?
Prayer
Lord, Almighty God, Savior of My Soul, I thank You for even considering me to be a child of Yours. Life can be and is a struggle. Days go by when I feel alone and afraid, not knowing what to do. Lord I want this rest and peace that David had, and I know it only comes from walking closer to You. Lord help me to stay focused on You, Your ways, and Your thoughts. Help me to have Your thoughts in my life, and let Your Ways be my ways. Lord, help me to resist the Devil and the fiery darts he will throw my way, trying to draw my attention from You. I thank You for Your strength and protection, Your mercy and grace. May Your hand move in my life today, in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 18:1–4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 9:15–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.