Psalm 131

Introduction

Wait a couple seconds to go up there.

Sitting Still is really hard.

We expect things to keep moving.

Story of Mary and Martha.

By sitting at Jesus' feet, Mary shows that all our service ought to be grounded in a lively personal relationship with him.

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

This Morning: Psalm 131

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Welcome to Ascend Bible Church

Promise in this series - Solace, Hope/encouragement, Instruction… each week we have found that.

As we look at Psalm 131 1) Process of finding eternal hope. 2) it is clear but not easy

describe the common use of head, hands, heart

B.I = Let your heart, head, and hands be still before God and he will provide eternal hope.

read passage

Heart

Psalm 131:1 (ESV)

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

What is the heart?

Emotions, Thoughts, and Will all smacked together.

“That spiritual place within us from which outlook, choices, and actions come has been formed by a world away from God. Now it must be transformed.” ― Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

The Soul is the realest you, the heart is the innermost part of the real you.

This is why the heart is discussed throughout all of scripture.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

What does it mean to say the heart is not lifted up?

Lofty Thinking

Pride

This is the original sin. “If you eat this fruit you can become like God”

we love to think of ourselves higher than we ought….

The reality is you are not God.

We can all atleast hopefully agree we are not God.

Galatians 6:3 ESV

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

I think of the story of Job

- Jobs conclusion at the end of suffering (Bless be the name of the Lord)

Transition: There is so much we worry about that is above our pay grade. If you want to limit your worry it does not begin with adjusting circumstance but a restful heart.

Matthew 11:29 ESV

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus himself new the proper posture of the heart was humility not pride. (Even for God in flesh)

Are you willing toreally sit before God before you move?

Transition: So we understand what the heart is, we have better understand of how a prideful heart wreck a person. Now lets talk about once we move beyond the heart to our head.

Head

Psalm 131:1 (ESV)

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

What is the head?

Thinking

Worry beyond what we can control.

This is know of overthinking = thinking that occupies.

What occupies your thoughts?

Pre-Occupied thoughts?

Matthew 6:34 ESV

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Application:

How can we get better about thinking about the things that God has intrusted to us to think about?

Sit.. bring it before the Lord……

Our struggle with overthinking.

Occupying thoughts: (Jon Acuff Soundtracks)

are they true.

are they loving

are they helpful

Can I do anything about it?

Transition: A heart before God, Thinking that is before God, leads to actions that Honor God. but here is the thing…

Hands

Psalm 131:2 ESV

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

- We need to still bring our actions before God.

Weaned Child Illustration:

There’s a big difference between an unweaned child and a weaned child. Both may sit on mom’s lap. A nursing child may be hungry, and that’s natural and beautiful.

But a weaned child is not there for food. the A weaned child with its mother is there for the simple joy of being in relationship.

The child’s soul is calm and quieted . The world may be going crazy, but everything is okay I am with mom.

There’s a deep sense of peace, tranquility, and contentment.

The reality is we often aproach God to take care of our problems rather than just sit in his presence.

Transition: So when we bring our heart before God, bringing our head (thinking), and our actions… the psalmist ends by saying we will find Hope.

Hope:

Psalm 131:3 ESV

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

What does it mean to have hope?

Hope is a reality

Eternal security

Assurance of the things unseen.

Trust

Reliance

Peace

Hebrews 11:1–3 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Closing (an oppurtuning to pray):

Sit before God:

What is on your heart?

What is on your head?

Sit and pray before you think about acting?

Thank God for the reality of hope, ask God for a posture of Increased hope?