Abiding in the PsalmsSample

Calm and Quiet

Calm and quiet are not two words many of us would use to describe our lives. From a younger and younger age, we answer the question “how are you” with “busy”. We weren’t ever designed to be as busy as we are — always connected, getting updates, new content, new interactions, more subjects, more homework, more work and more relationships. With all the noise of the world, it is hard to hear the voice of God or feel His comfort.

In this psalm we see David, who had many high-level things to worry about, take his eyes off great matters, actively calm himself, and actively quiet himself. David does this on purpose so that he might know how to be content with God. The example used may seem odd, but David is pointing out that a breastfeeding baby is coming to its mother to get something and will cry and fight for milk, whereas a child who no longer feeds will sit and just enjoy its mother's comfort without striving to gain, and will be content. So we must be with God.

Application

How often are you quiet before God? How often do you give God a chance to speak? How often do you come to God just to be with God, not striving to get something from Him?

David actively calms and quiets himself so He can enjoy God, as should we. 

Questions

1. When can you make time to quiet yourself before God?

2. How would you go about actively calming and quieting yourself?

3. What would you do when things are quiet and still?

Pray

Pray that God will help you to be still in His presence and that He will refresh you in that time.