- Read: Psalm 131 & Matthew 5:1-12
- Watch: Bible Project: 2 Samuel
The Summer of Psalms: Through the Eyes of Jesus
This summer, we will analyze a different psalm each week written by the ancient psalmists. Together, we will identify a central theme and explore how Jesus lived out and taught that very concept to His followers.
Our goal as apprentices of Jesus is to learn to walk in these ancient ways. To be a healthy disciple (R2B), we must learn alongside Jesus, taking on and living out these Christ-like attributes.
This Week’s Attribute: Humility
In Psalm 131, David declares in humility: “My heart is not proud, my eyes are not arrogant.” Instead, he writes, “I have learned to calm and quiet myself.” How did he achieve this? By putting his absolute trust in the Lord.
How did David learn this valuable lesson?
- In the lonely fields, watching sheep and singing to the Lord.
- By crying out to Almighty God while being hunted by Saul.
- Through confession and repentance when the weight of his sin was exposed.
- Through years of keeping his heart and mind focused on Yahweh.
David was far from a perfect man, but he humbled himself by continually confessing, crying out, and keeping his focus attuned to his Great Shepherd.
The Perfect Example
Jesus was perfect, yet He still humbled Himself to His Father’s will (Philippians 2:8). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus embodied quietness and calmness even as He was betrayed, accused, beaten, scorned, mocked, and crucified.
How did Jesus do this? By emptying Himself, willingly giving up His rights, and placing total trust in His Father.
Living It Out
How can we exhibit this same humility? We do it the exact same way David and Jesus did: by placing complete and utter trust in the Lord, our Shepherd. As we learn to quiet ourselves and calm our fears and frustrations, we must surrender and submit our proud, arrogant tendencies to our Loving Father. When we do, we come under the protection, care, and safety of knowing our God is entirely trustworthy.
No matter my circumstances, no matter the messages of this world, no matter the lie—I am safe in my Savior’s hands. He is my Shepherd; I have everything I need!
Pray: Lord, You are my Shepherd, my primary care provider! I am safe in You. Today, I humble myself and submit completely to Your will and Your Kingdom. Amen.
Discussion Questions:
1. The “Wilderness” School of Humility
David learned humility in tough, lonely places—watching sheep, being hunted by Saul, and facing his own brokenness.
- Discussion Question: When you look back at your own life, have you learned more about reliance on God during seasons of comfort or seasons of “wilderness” (loneliness, trial, or failure)? Why do you think comfort often breeds pride, while the wilderness breeds humility?
2. The Noise vs. The Quiet (Psalm 131)
David talks about “calming and quieting” his soul like a content child. In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded by notifications, news, and internal anxieties.
- Discussion Question: What is currently the loudest “noise” or anxiety in your life that is keeping your soul from being quiet? What practical, daily boundary can you set this week to intentionally silence that noise and sit with your Great Shepherd?
3. Yielding Our “Rights” (Philippians 2:8)
The text mentions that Jesus practiced humility by “willingly giving up His rights.” In our culture, we are taught to demand our rights, defend our reputations, and ensure our own comfort.
- Discussion Question: In what area of your life right now (in a marriage, a workplace conflict, a friendship, or an unmet expectation) is God asking you to lay down your “right” to be correct, vindicated, or in control, and instead trust His protection?
4. God as the “Primary Care Provider”
The closing prayer refers to God as our “primary care provider,” declaring, “I have everything I need.”
- Discussion Question: If someone closely monitored your calendar, your thought life, and your spending habits over the last month, would they conclude that you believe God is your primary provider, or that you are? What is one specific worry you need to officially hand over to His “primary care” today?