LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

The psalmist here describes the contentedness he feels, because he trusts in God and in what God has revealed.

Those who are immature in the faith may still have a problem with haughtiness. They may still harbor selfish ambitions and act wise in their own minds (Romans 12:16). Such people may also have eyes that are lofty, looking past anyone they consider inferior to themselves. They have the “proud look” that the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). They would like God to do things in their timing instead of according to His plan.

The haughty also tend to concern themselves with great matters. They concern themselves with matters beyond their capacity, thinking that they need to understand God’s plan in order to be content with it. Instead of humbly sticking to the things that have been revealed to us, they vainly speculate on the secret things that belong to God and God alone (Deuteronomy 29:29).

The mature in the faith, in contrast, have calmed and quieted their souls. In place of the petulant striving and struggle of the proud soul to stay above the next guy, in place of the arrogant reflection on matters beyond them and futile speculation on things above them, they have humble souls at peace with their God-ordained place in life.

The mature soul, like a weaned child that has gotten past the need for mother’s milk, has gotten past the immature pride and the infantile conceit of the haughty mind. Like a weaned child, the mature soul has achieved growth and does not need to go back to where it came from. It waits patiently for the next stage of life and the wisdom that comes with it.

Today, be at peace with where you are in life and with the wisdom you have been given. God will see to the next stage of your ascent and the wisdom you need at that time.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International