Psalm 131:1 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. ² But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. ³ O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore. 

I have no doubt that the ancient world was filled with stress as is ours. Different forms of stress for sure, but stress nonetheless. In recent weeks I have felt my shoulders tighten, muscles ache. There’s a lot going on with constant change in the process. It can seem to spin out of control from time to time. I’m doing so-so, but I have my moments of insecurity and anxiety.

What draws my attention this morning is the phrase “like a weaned child with its mother”.

I remember watching my wife Jana breastfeed our three children when they were infants. The babies often started out crying because of hunger, but it didn’t last. When they were full they often fell asleep at mother’s breast. Full. Content. Dreaming baby dreams. At rest in mother’s arms.

This is the image the psalmist offers to us this morning. “My soul is like the weaned child that is with me”. How did he do this? “…hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore”. It’s the description of someone who has given over to God the burdens and challenges which are very real. It’s the calm given by the Lord as an act of grace. It’s an image of trust that God has things in hand, even if we do not.

Lord make us like the weaned child today, filled with peace and contentment. Satisfied in every way. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.