“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” Psalm 131:1
Dear Ones:
How is it that King David can write that he does not “…exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me?” Is he praying what is true of himself as the king, anointed by God? In our search for “balance,” in a day when men’s lofty values of greatness and ungodly, self-centered customs are ever pulling us from one direction or pushing us in another, let’s begin our pursuit of balance by considering the foundation of TRUTH, and the One who IS truth. First of all, in Psalm 1, we read: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a TREE planted by the rivers of water…” (v.2,3) Here the Lord brings us face to face with reality: His word takes precedence over ALL of the customs, philosophies, value systems, and religions of man. The Lord would tell Joshua the same thing as the Psalmist declared, before being led into the promised land: “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night.” (Josh. 1:8) Why is Joshua instructed specifically in this way? It is in order to DO what is written therein. Again, Jesus would say: “Therefore, whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and DOES them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock.” (Matt. 7:24) Here is the point of beginning with regard to obtaining balance in a shifting world. One’s feet must be planted firmly, solidly, upon the bedrock of TRUTH as it is in Jesus. The knowledge of the truth is essential, but only the choice and will to adhere to, and obey it, will result in stability.
The Apostle Paul writes in his epistles of being “rooted and grounded,” “established,” and “…not moved away from,” a position of faith. How is this to be, especially when the storms of life come? Again, it is first and foremost an issue of making up one’s mind concerning the TRUTH of the word of God. Why? Because, God IS the originator, initiator, and accomplishment of His word. He is totally committed to working, acting, speaking, according to the truth of His word. He only speaks truth, for He IS the truth.
When Psalm 46 was penned, it was out of an experience of exactly what we are talking about here. Here is a man who has come to grips with WHO God is, according to the objective truth of His word and revelation. “GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” (v.1) The Psalmist begins with the truth, not only the objective truth, but the One who IS truth. From there he deals with the “earth moving,” “mountains being carried into the sea,” and the roaring of the sea, and the mountains shaking. Where is “balance” in this scenario? “There IS a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God….God is in the midst of her, she shall NOT be moved.” (v.4,5) The Psalmist is conveying the reality of what God said to Joshua, and what Jesus said to His disciples. There IS a balance to be known and lived, but only as our feet are upon the rock of the word of God, and our faith wholly in the Christ of the word.
The prophet Micah summarizes a balanced life when he writes: “He has showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (6:8) That which is “good” is that which God declares to be so, as HE is Good, Creator, and Redeemer. So, how is the grasping of His word, and dependence upon Him, relevant to doing that which is just, or right, practicing mercy towards others, and walking humbly with God? As God inhabits the praises of Israel, so He inhabits His word. He WILL work according to that which He has promised. The practice of these three things, and not the seeking “great things”, or seeking to be great, gives balance needed in a turbulent world. God will bless such a life by dwelling in the midst, Himself being our stability and balance.
Dear Father, teach us to seek Thee who art great, rather than seeking great things for ourselves, or to be great. Enable us to find our greatness in knowing Thee, that we might love and serve others for Your sake. Keep our feet upon the rock, as we trust only in Thee. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad