The great thing about having developed a routine of reading the Bible and setting aside a specific time with God is that, even on days when I don’t feel “at my usual self” there is this feeling (or voice?) that makes me go through it regardless of what I feel. Of course, just going through the motions / doing one’s quiet time just for the sake of doing it is not recommended, but I believe it’s better to just go ahead and start then let God’s word and his Spirit do their powerful work, rather than not starting at all. Besides, as I have experienced before, God’s word speaks to us in different ways based on where we are in our spiritual journey. That’s not to say that the Bible is interpreted differently per person, but it is God who decides how to reveal Himself through his Word. So today is one of those days, let’s see what God has in store.

Just 3 verses, wow. Heading is: “I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul”.

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. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 131:1-3 ESV)

In other versions, the psalmist talks about not concerning himself (not being anxious with?) “great matters” or “grandiose plans”. Instead, the psalmist is quiet, calm, content, and finds rest in God.

There you go. God knows where you are more than you do. He delivers his message to you at the right time, when you need it. Keep the lines of communication open and He will keep you in the right path.

I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’ “You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’ (Isaiah 48:5-7 ESV)

We go through difficult situations that require us to wait, to trust in God and not in others or in ourselves, so that we realize and remember that our God is Faithful and Powerful. Because of our shortsightedness, we have a tendency to misplace who we give credit to. We are hard-headed and it takes multiple instances for us to develop a mind that fully understands the sovereignty of God. We know the feeling of having someone get credit for something they didn’t do or deserve – it sucks. We protest, “Foul! Unfair!”. Same thing.

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. (Isaiah 48:11 ESV)

God is really on the losing side of this “deal” with man. Even if we break our part, he has to keep His because he cannot be untrue to his nature. He has given us all things, without expectations, knowing that some will respond with rejection, unbelief, indifference and even mockery. This is a terrible deal, and yet here it is.

Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; (Isaiah 48:18 ESV)

We make mistakes, we look back – briefly – to learn from it. There are second chances with God. He says “Go, shout with joy and proclaim it”. He is our Redeemer, and great is His goodness.

I read, and re-read this psalm. Quickly, slowly, in my mind, out loud. It speaks to me, but I can’t figure out how to write down how I feel. In this short psalm the psalmist goes from despair, to humble realization, to hope, to joyful expectation. The story of my life, my days. It sounds like many of my prayers. Read, and re-read again.

Babylon – called tender and delicate, the mistress of kingdoms, lovers of pleasures. Proud of their wisdom, knowledge and charm, relying on enchantment, sorcery and astrology. Seems harmless enough – especially in this generation. But God pronounced judgement against them? Why is that?

To be fair, Israel has had – in their history – times when they were described in similar terms. What’s the difference? The difference is Humility, Confession, Repentance. 4000 years later, Babylon is no more, but Israel – represented by the people of God – remains.

You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” (Isaiah 47:10 ESV)

People who – in their wisdom and knowledge – deny God’s very existence have been around for 4000 years. In their hearts they believe they are right. Time will tell, when troubles come – and they come to everyone – what people believe will be put to test. For the repentant we should respond with abounding grace. For the stubborn..

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6, 7 ESV)

Walk in Him (=Journey)
Rooted in Him (=Foundation)
Built up and Established in Him (=Growth)
Abound in Thanksgiving (=Attitude)

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:23 ESV)

Human-made, human-centric rules are not effective. Though it seems logical. Even I myself, with a sincere desire to be a better follower of Christ, have made some “rules” for myself to follow. The problem is that it is easy to fall into the trap of relying on the rules rather than on the relationship. The relationship is powerful, nurture it. Nurture the relationship instead of adding or tweaking the rules. Trust in the power that comes with a close relationship with God.