Psalm 131

Psalm 131

TEXT:

Psalms 131:1-3 (KJV)1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Introduction:

This may not be one of the longest Psalms, being just three verses, but whatever you do, don’t underestimate the value and the importance of Psalm 131.

If you can get the message of this Psalm into our spirit, I guarantee it will make you a better Christian.

The text deals with man’s pride, his fleshly desire to be first, to be the best, to be the one in charge.

But it also speaks of humility and in our text the Psalmist focuses on

what TRUE Humility is all about.

My friends, make no mistake, being full of pride is a fleshly thing.

being genuinely humble is a spiritual thing.

A person can become filled with PRIDE when he overvalues his self and

undervalues others.

Pride makes one restless.

(1) We become dissatisfied with what we have, our possessions, our

job, our title, our toys, etc…

(2) We begin to worry about what those around us are doing.

(3) We have to have MORE ATTENTION, MORE ADORATION,

we must hear the accolades of the people around us in order to

be satisfied.

In stark contrast;

(1) The Spirit of humility causes one to put others first.

(2) Humility isn’t selfish, or self-seeking.

(3) The humble of heart are content as long as they know that the

Holy Spirit is leading them.

(4) In in the Spirit of humility, we live to please God and in this

becomes our security.

(5) We are released from the pressure of feeling that we must prove

ourselves to others.

A Christian needs the spirit of humility in order to put everything else in its proper prospective.

A Christian is called to serve, not to be served!

I. The Need For Humility

A. Many Bible scholars believe that David wrote this particular psalm

shortly after God had chosen him to succeed Saul as king.

1. While David patiently waited for his time to come, Saul accused

him of seeking the throne out of the pride of his heart.

2. David had been content feeding the sheep and being a good

shepherd but these accusations caused him to do some soul

searching.

B. David came to the conclusion that it wasn’t earthly things that he

aimed for.

1. He had not aimed for anything high or great as this world thinks

of it.

2. Out of David’s soul searching, he concluded that It was God’s Will

and God’s Divine Favor that he sought for.

C. It is important that we ask ourselves, What am I doing here?

What is it that motivates me to do the things I do?

Why is the position so important to me?

1. Do I desire this position because I know it to be HIS will?

2. Am I serving in this position because I rather have it, than to see

someone else in it?

3. Or Am I serving out of Love?

D. Humility helps one to maintain integrity.

Self measurement

A little boy came to his mother one day, saying, “Mamma, I am as tall as

Goliath; I am nine feet high.” “What makes you say that?” His mother asked.

“Well, I made a little ruler of my own and measured myself with it, and I am

Just nine feet high!”

There are many people who follow the little boy’s method, measuring themselves by some rule of their own.

(Knight’s Master Book Of New Illustrations)

2 Cor 10:12 (NLT)

12 Oh, don’t worry; I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!

II. David Had Aimed At Nothing High Nor Great

A. David was confident that he had done nothing to injure his integrity.

(1) This is so important! I have seen professing Christians and even

some who professed to be ministers of the gospel who lived such

careless lives.

(2) They toss their reputations around like rag dolls.

B. David rejoiced in the fact that he knew within his heart that he

Had walked humbly before his God.

(1) Even when you are careful to approach everything by prayer

and even when you are certain that you have served out of

true humility, there will be those who will accuse you of

having other motives.

(2) In the midst of a heated moment, David’s own brother had

accused him of operating out of pride.

When the giant was threatening Israel

1 Sam 17:28 (KJV)28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.