If you have ever been closely involved with making plans for a wedding in one respect or another, like I have, you know how stressful it can be. My son, John's, wedding was no exception. At one point, when we were faced with making seating arrangements for the wedding reception, I began feeling completely overwhelmed. As I turned to the Lord in prayer, asking Him for an extra measure of His wisdom and strength, He led me to Psalm 131.

Here, David the shepherd-king says: "Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me." (v.1) Reading these words enabled me to breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly, I realized that not only did God not expect me to handle matters by myself, but He didn't even WANT me trying to handle them on my own. In fact, in God's eyes, if I tried to deal with my concerns without relying on Him for help, I would be seen as "proud" and "haughty" - two characteristics that the Bible says are detestable in His sight.

David goes on to say: "But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me." (v.2) I realized then that the Lord wanted me to calm and quiet myself before Him, just like a child resting in the arms of a loving parent would. Instead, I had been fretting about my concerns, and talking about them constantly, rather than praying about them, and laying them at the Lord's feet, like He wanted me to. Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3 NIV) Receiving God's precious gift of salvation requires us to humble ourselves before God, in childlike faith. The same is true when it comes to receiving all of the other blessings the Lord desires to bestow on us, both spiritual and earthly. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says: "Be still, and know that I am God." The NASB translation puts it this way - "Cease striving and know that I am God." There are times when all of us need to hear this reminder - that if we will settle down and let God be God of our lives and circumstances, He will take control of everything that seems out of control, and He will turn our messes into miracles.

David beautifully concludes Psalm 131 with the statement, "You too should quietly trust in the Lord - now and always." (v.3 TLB) When we are in the midst of troubling circumstances - when the enemy's voice is whispering in our ears, "What are you going to do?!" - we can turn to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and say - "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You!" (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, when I am facing situations that have me feeling overwhelmed, confused, or frightened, remind me that I don't have to concern myself with matters that are "too great or awesome for me". Teach me how to "still and quiet myself" before You in childlike faith, and to entrust to You ALL that concerns me. Thank You that as I "quietly trust" in You, You will transform all of my troubles into triumphs!