April 30, 2007

Text: Psalm 131

PRACTICE OF REFLECTION

1. Concerning "Self"

2. Specific areas of relecion

a) Heart
"LORD, my heart is not haughty..."    Psalm 131:1a

b) Attitude ("eyes")
"Nor my eyes lofty"    Psalm 131:1b

c) Thoughts (mind)
"Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me"

3. Purpose of such Reflections

a) Natural Self-examination

b) Making sure that sin has not crept in

c) Making sure of one's spiritual well-being

4. The Training of the Soul

a) Calming of the soul
"Surely I have calmed... my soul"    Psalm 131:2

b) A quiet soul
"Surely I have... quieted my soul"    Psalm 131:2

c) The Weaning process

i) It has to be done early

ii) There will be some distress

iii) There will be a need to make necessary adjustments

5. Challenge to Israel

a) To exercise hope in the LORD    Psalm 131:3a

b) To exercise hope always    Psalm 131:3b

6. Understanding the switch from the personal element to the national

a) The Personal element    Psalm 131:1-2

b) The National element    Psalm 131:3

    i) The point of comparison between the one (David) and the many (Israel)

    ii) As David needed to reflect so did Israel as a nation

    iii) As David needed to learn how to wean his soul, so did Israel need to learn

    iv) Failure to learn will only lead to deep distress of the soul