Resting in the Lord Begins with Being Real...Part 4 of 4, Conclusion.

Part 4 / Conclusion: 

• LASTLY,
  • David had to lead by example. He first had to make sure that his relationship with Adonai was good, then make sure he examined himself, and now David’s audience is ready to receive his message of encouragement because he is proven to be walking the walk and talking the talk. Failure to have the first two correct would have made David a hypocrite and others wouldn’t have wanted to follow him. Now in this last verse…David’s like…Enough about me…
  • He now shifts his focus to others, in verse 3 of Psalm 131, David was being real in the way in which he addressed the Israelites.
  • Yes, I am your earthly King, but look to the King of Kings… 
  • 3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.
  • Israel…here’s a perfect way for you to have a BeReal moment with Adonai. 
  • Put your hope in Him. 
    • Expect Him to keep His promises. Expect Him to keep you humble and calm. 
  • If you find yourself agitated because of pride and discontentment in your life, then try shifting your focus to the hope that can only be found in Him alone. 
  • If you find yourself losing hope, then what are you still holding onto? What is unleveling you in life? What is Adonai revealing to you about yourself?
  • One author reminds us of something “interesting, David began this psalm by addressing God: ‘O Lord!’ Now he closes the psalm by addressing God’s people: ‘O Israel!’ When you stop looking at yourself and start looking at the Lord instead, you will begin looking around to see how you can help and encourage others as well…psalm 131 teaches us a simple but profound truth. Those who practice humility before the Lord find contentment and rest. But when we are proud in our hearts, when we are arrogant in our attitude towards others, when we demand to be like God and know it all, our hearts are restless and discontent. Do you want a quiet and restful soul? Then you need to [BE REAL and] confess your pride before God. You need to repent of a proud attitude towards others. You need to let go of the need to know and understand it all. Practice humility. Learn contentment. Live in hope. There is no peace for the wicked, but when you come to Christ and practice humility before the Lord, you will find rest for your soul and contentment in your heart.” https://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/psalms-of-ascent/psalm-131-humbled-and-content/#:~:text=Psalm%20131%3A1),confessing%20his%20humility%20to%20God.
  • DEEP SIGH…Time to BeReal!!! Being Real…I’m here to tell you…it is freeing and restful. 
  • Remember…“Resting in the Lord Begins with Being Real before Him, yourself, and others.”
  • What is God asking you to BeReal about today? Let me encourage you to have that conversation with Him today. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re upset about your physical health, the loss of your job or dreaded attitude toward your job. Maybe it’s about relationships in your life that aren’t going as well as you’d hoped. Maybe you’re struggling financially and don’t know where to turn. BE REAL with Him…it’s ok to ask Him the “why?” questions. He already knows you’re thinking about them anyway, so just BeReal with Him in the moment. ​