Calmed and Quieted
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Calmed and Quieted
Scripture:
Matthew 18:2-5
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the
midst of them, 3 and
said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as
little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles
himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little
child like this in My name receives Me.
Matthew 19:13-14
Then
children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The
disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to
me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
1 Peter 2:2
Like
newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up
into salvation…
Psalm 131:2
But I
have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a
weaned child is my soul within me.
Matthew 23:11-12
The
greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be
humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Devotional:
The
time is here. My time to soak in the word of God. My time to return to the
place of bowing, my daily place of filling in the Word. My daily reminder that
I depend on God, my daily opportunity to bring my heart into His throneroom and
be washed and cleansed of the ick of my yesterdays.
This
gentle, connected place can at times be a stark contrast to my daily life, when
I am so totally responsible for the care and management of our home and
children. To hear the words of Jesus, to know that the place of stripping is
the place He desires for my inner soul, is at times a little intimidating. “Big
girl panties” is a phrase that is often bandied about in even Christian circles. “Taking the bull by the horns,” “getting over
it,” and in essence being tough are highly valued qualities. Quiet, calm,
patience and humility can often be overrun and eclipsed in this take charge
atmosphere of the modern culture.
Let me
be clear: I am a very strong woman. I have been grown into a strong,
iron-in-the-soul woman of God. However, He has also required of me over the
years that I also be a soft woman. Not passive, not a doormat, but gentle. Kind.
Welcoming. Calm and quiet. It is a work in progress, but when I read the words
of Jesus I can get a glimpse into His heart for his people. Purity, innocence,
dependence: These are the qualities He wants for and from us. I want this. I want
to walk in childlike faith (not childish, not immature, not erratic), dependent
on Him for my comfort, strength and worth.
Today,
let’s quiet and calm our souls. Let’s press in to the comfort and peace of the
Presence of God so that we can walk as His children. He is there, ready to
empower us for this day and the challenges we face. Our children and husbands
will also be fed well through this quietness and rest within our souls. Pray
with me:
Prayer:
Father, today I come to You as a child. I ask that You will gently soothe any broken or wounded areas in my heart and soul. I give to You my hurts, disappointments, feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy and release them from my possession into Your healing hands. I ask that You will place within me the soul of a dependent child, calm and quiet. Let this state of childlike purity and innocence permeate my spirit and our home.
Father, today I come to You as a child. I ask that You will gently soothe any broken or wounded areas in my heart and soul. I give to You my hurts, disappointments, feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy and release them from my possession into Your healing hands. I ask that You will place within me the soul of a dependent child, calm and quiet. Let this state of childlike purity and innocence permeate my spirit and our home.
Intercession:
I lift
up my child(ren) to You today as well. If I have pressured them to grow up too
quickly, if I have not allowed their childlike innocence to have its proper
place in our home I repent. I ask You to forgive me. I ask that You will heal
any rift between us. Teach me to embrace the season of children in our home, and
to love and cherish my children the way You do. Prevent me from rejecting them
in any way.
(Spend
time addressing specific area(s) that are concerning. Lift up salvation,
healing, deliverance, behavior problems, relational issues, etc.)
Today I give my child(ren), home and family to You.
Bless our home with peace, unity and humility by Your power.
In
Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
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