“Like a Small Child”
Psalm 131:1-3 – July 2, 2023
The news of a happy, healthy birth and new addition to the family is something to be celebrated! I just got the joyful news that a healthy baby boy was delivered to one of the young people at a Presbyterian church out of state, who participated in our trip to Egypt back in March. All of us here in this congregation are so happy when we hear of babies being born! I know some people are less than excited about babies, but not here.
The Psalms are no different, as far as containing expressions of families’ emotions. We can find the full range of emotions in our book of Psalms, including joy, celebration and contentment with families and with children, and with babies, too.
Our Scripture reading for today from Psalm 131 is so appropriate for our Summer Sermon series. We are re-imaging God. Seeing God from a different point of view. We will focus on verse 2, in particular. I will read it again: “I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me. 2 Instead, I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.”
Have you – or your children, or grandchildren – had experience with a school subject that was really difficult? I know our Psalm writer was probably not thinking of school or of learning concepts that are really challenging. However, this is a way for me to zero in on the psalm writer’s meaning!
I know I had a real block in my head when it came to certain concepts in high school physics. I had an excellent teacher! But, there were certain concepts that just couldn’t penetrate my understanding, no matter how much coaching I got from my father or extra tips from my teacher. I know I got a really poor grade that quarter in Physics.
I felt like I was hitting my head against a brick wall. Have you ever felt like that? Most children and young people have experience with subjects at school that are really difficult. As adults, I suspect we can relate! We all have had sad or frustrating experiences where we cope with issues or subjects that are just too hard, too complicated, or too emotionally charged.
With this comforting psalm, it’s like we have the opportunity, even the permission to enter into the holy sanctuary. To come into the gentle presence of God.
We know that little babies – as adorable as they can be – are also totally dependent on their mother’s care. In Biblical times, babies would be breastfed, and a nursing infant would always have his or her mother nearby. Yet, this expression in Psalm 131 refers to a little older child, one who has been weaned. Not solely dependent on its mother for all food and drink.
I suspect most of us here, if not all of us, have memories of toddlers and small children. They were (and are!) endlessly curious about the wide world! Those same toddlers and small children get tired, and hungry, and want to rest. Where do they come at times like these? They return to the safe sanctuary of their parent’s embrace. As Psalm 131:2 says, “I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.”
As I have said in past weeks, in both the Hebrew Scriptures as well as the New Testament, the depiction of God is so often as a Mighty Defender or Deliverer, strong and powerful, The Lord is described many times in the Hebrew Scriptures as a Rock, or a Fortress. That can be helpful, especially when we are in need of Someone strong to help us fight our battles, or when we need a safe, divine Shelter to hide inside – but quite impersonal.
But, what about when some of us (yes, I include all of us here!) need our God to be something other than distant, cold, and scary? When we really need Someone warm, caring, and compassionate? Like right here, where a small child crawls up trustingly into the lap of a loving God! A loving, caring, welcoming maternal presence. That is exactly what we have right here! As the psalmist says about God’s warm nurture and care, “I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.”
Yes, the Lord is strong, and mighty, and a powerful Deliverer. And yes, the Lord is loving, caring, compassionate, and has a wonderful maternal aspect, too.
I love the way that Carolyn Brown, retired Children’s Ministry Director and Bible commentator leads us through the first verse of the hymn “Be Still, My Soul.” She describes this very psalm, and uses the words of this wonderful hymn to give us further understanding. Could you turn to hymn #455 and read along with me, as I go line by line through the first verse?
Be still my soul; the Lord is on your side.
God loves you and is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Having God on your side doesn’t mean that everything will always go the way you want it to; but you can get through the bad times knowing that even in them God is on your side.
Leave to your God to order and provide.
Remember that God is in charge.
In every change God faithful will remain.
God will be with you in all the scary and unknown changes. For children those changes include a new school, moving, the arrival of a sibling, parents divorcing, having to learn something new and hard, going away to camp or to live with relatives….
Be still my soul, your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Recall the thorny part of the crucifixion that led to Jesus’ joyful resurrection and note that Jesus is with us all the way through both our joyful and thorny times.[1]
As we reflect upon this gentle psalm, seeking what the long-ago words of the psalmist have for us, today, we come to our God like trusting children. We also seek the food and drink of Holy Communion, which we celebrate today. Praise God that we have the opportunity to lean into the loving embrace of our caring, compassionate God today and every day! Praise God whenever we are hungry, tired, lonely or scared, we can come into God’s gentle, still center.
What a wonderful gift! What a loving God. Alleluia, amen.
(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!
[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2011/01/year-eighth-sunday-in-epiphany-eighth.html
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