But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:2)
In this short psalm, David reminds us of our dependency on God. He begins with a rejection of pride. Hearts that are “lifted up” and eyes that are “raised too high” are descriptions of an inflated view of oneself. Instead, David has a clear assessment of his limitations and inabilities (v1). He compares himself to a weaned child with his mother. Why this picture?
A nursing child receives nourishment from his mother. As the infant intakes milk from his mother, the bond built is deep and intimate. But a child that is newly weaned is an entirely different story. In ancient Near Eastern culture, children were not weaned until at least three years old. So when his mother no longer offers him the milk he’s been receiving all those years, confusion and anger can result. Although the child does not understand the actions of his mother, she knows best. He’s ready for a more diverse diet. So, the child must quiet his soul and trust in his mother’s actions and intentions.
Like a weaned child, we go through events in our lives that we don’t understand. It seems like God is depriving us of something or someone that we think we need. It may appear that God is unnecessarily leading you into suffering and hardship. But like David, trust that God knows what is best for you even if you don’t understand it now. Trust in God who has been providing for you your entire life and who provided your ultimate need when He gave you His one and only Son to reconcile you to Himself. Today, quiet your soul before your tender and compassionate God.