Keeping a Quiet Heart

Hope y’all have a great 4th. I did.

My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel [oh Gayle], put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 131 NIV)

As I read this, I wonder. How do I still and quiet my soul? How can I know my heart is quiet? King David wrote this psalm. It’s not like the guy didn’t have anything going on in his life. He was responsible for the welfare of a nation. He did so concern himself with great matters…daily. Didn’t he?

What I believe David was saying is that he didn’t concern himself with matters that were out of his control. He couldn’t be spending his energy trying to figure out things that were just too big for him. Just as an infant trusts its mother to take care of him, God wanted him—and He wants me—to completely rely on Him daily to take care of me and meet all my needs—spiritual, physical, emotional.

Long ago I established a habit in my life to spend the first moments of my day in prayer and Bible reading. It’s not a “rule.” It’s spiritual breakfast. I’m not going to die of starvation if I skip breakfast. Nor will my relationship with God automatically turn sour and I’m guaranteed to have a rotten day if I don’t do this. Rather, just as a nutritious breakfast gives me fuel to begin my day, so does reading my Bible and prayer with my heavenly Father give me the spiritual nourishment, a right perspective, about the day ahead.

Sometimes my heart starts out quiet. Maybe because I had an extra good night sleep or had a wonderful time of fellowship with a friend the night before. Maybe things are good and my heart is light. Conversely, life might be extra hard and I’m so desperate for God’s help that I just wake up already poised for a rich time with Him. Almost like He must have been talking to me all night in my sleep so when my “quiet time” begins, I’m just continuing the conversation I’ve already been having with Him all night.

On those mornings, seems from the moment I awaken and sip my first cup of coffee, I’m ushered into the throne room of God’s grace. I’m focused on the Lord and everything I read makes sense. My heart is so quiet I can hear the refrigerator buzz.

It’s not always like this, though. Sometimes as soon as I sit down, I jump back up again it seems. I decide to check my e-mail. Then I suddenly have a hankerin’ to browse through yesterday’s junk mail I forgot to open. Should I keep the pizza coupons? Do I recognize the child on the Advco ad? Do I need to pay that bill today? Before I know it, I’ve opened my Quicken program and am reviewing my checking account.

I did not set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. to sort through coupons!

So, I sit back down on my couch—after I’ve poured that second cup of coffee. After all, I rose early to give my Lord my freshest hour of the day. Though I may be distracted and He may seem far away, I know the truth. God is with me and He delights being with me. I’ll never get that, but I know it’s true.

Even if I’m reading a portion of Scripture that doesn’t minister to me emotionally, I know it’s ministering to my soul. About 20 years ago, I was reading my Bible in a coffee shop when I ran into my pastor and dear friend in Seattle, Wayne Taylor. I told him I’d just read an Old Testament passage that I didn’t understand. Said it did nothing for me emotionally and yet I felt better for having read it anyway! Wayne told me that’s because God’s Word always ministers to our spirit even if it doesn’t minister to us emotionally. I’ve always remembered that! This doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t study to gain understanding in those difficult passages. It just means that even when I don’t get what I’m reading, God’s Word is still working. It’s never a waste of time to read the Bible.

Interesting. David said he quieted his own soul. Yet it happens as he focused on God. Any choice I make to draw closer to Christ is aroused by His wooing me with His love. In the deepest part of me, I know that no matter what I’m feeling, especially in turbulent times, the way to get and keep a quiet and peaceful heart is to spend time with the One who knows and loves me so much!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-6)