Walking to the Beat of a Different Drummer

Our society has numerous ways to describe an individual who does not conform to its values and standards—rebel, maverick, misfit, going against the grain, walking to the beat of a different drummer, eccentric, radical, fanatic, activist, nonconformist, one of a kind, unconventional. What, or who, do you picture when you hear these terms? Probably not you!

The Bible calls believers to live a life different than the world. Romans 12:2a—And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Today, when tolerance is one of our culture’s primary virtues, the rebels and eccentrics of yesteryear are welcomed and embraced, while anyone who stands for absolutes is frowned upon. As I read Psalm 131 the other day, I was struck by the values of the psalmist, and how contrary they are to our culture.

Psalm 131 says—O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.

David says his heart is not proud, nor his eyes haughty—pride is everywhere in our world. Self-esteem is treasured. Trash talk is common. Self-confidence is desired. Taking delight in our accomplishments is assumed. The arrogant are idolized—actors, musicians, athletes. God’s Word condemns pride often. 1 Peter 4:5 and James 4:6 say, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 6:16-17 says, the Lord hates haughty eyes; they are an abomination to Him. Proverbs 21:4 calls haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, sin. Humility is the virtue God desires in the lives of His people.

The psalmist also says he does not involve himself in great matters, or in things too difficult for him. Our culture would look at this attitude as a problem—maybe a result of low self-esteem. Maybe this man is depressed or has some disorder; he needs medication! Ambition fuels our world; climbing up the ladder is part of the American dream. We can never think too highly of ourselves in today’s thinking. This is the opposite of what the psalmist says. Here he reflects the admonition of Paul in Romans 12:3—I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment. Romans 12:16 exhorts us, Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Verse 2 describes a picture of complete contentment, a weaned child resting against his mother. David reflects his total satisfaction in the Lord. Psalms 23:1, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Contentment is rare in our world. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to insure that! We live in a day of never-ending pursuit—a more prestigious job, a nicer home, a faster car, a firmer figure, the latest technological gadget. Yet the Lord invites us to rest in Him, to quiet our soul in Him. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light. The song based on Psalm 62 reminds us, Only in God is my soul at rest. We as believers need to seek contentment in the Lord alone.

David concludes the psalm by urging Israel to hope in the Lord. Today people are trusting in so many things—themselves, their financial resources, the government, the wisdom of the world, relationships, military might, education, etc. God wants us to trust in Him, to hope in Him. Psalm 130:5-8 says, I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 118:8-9 reminds us, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Psalm 131 highlights some significant ways that we as believers need to walk to the beat of a different drummer. We need to follow the Lord, not the world.

Bountiful

At this time of year, it is easy to turn our thoughts toward Thanksgiving. For most people, however, thoughts revolve around the holiday--a day off from work, a great meal, time with family, football games--rather than the giving of thanks. For believers, our entire lives should be dominated by the giving of thanks, not just the fourth Thursday in November!

However, this is not the reality for many believers. I know that is true for me. I am not thankful 100% of the time. When I'm not, I need to remind myself of all that God has done for me. The psalmist does this in Psalm 116:7--Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

When I forget how bountiful the Lord has been to me, I am easily discouraged or disheartened. I can become fretful and anxious. It is then that I need to talk to my soul, and not let it just talk to me. I need to remind myself of how bountiful the Lord is. As Psalm 103:2 says, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. As I do this my soul is uplifted and I can be at rest, content in the Lord.

When my focus is on the Lord, and how bountiful He is to me, my attention shifts from me--my desires, my circumstances, my concerns--to the Lord, and I seek to honor and glorify Him. I am in awe of His great bounty, despite my unworthiness, and all I can do is respond as in Psalm 116:12--What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? The Lord's bounty is so great I can never even begin to repay it, but my desire is to worship Him, serve Him, and give Him thanks.

Walking

Yesterday I went for a walk in my neighborhood, the first one in a long time. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so most of my steps were either uphill or downhill. Today I am feeling the effects of my activity, and paying for the lack of practice.

The Scripture often refers to the Christian life as a walk. It is such a good analogy-- a step by step, moment by moment, pattern of life following Christ. Sometimes we act like it's more like riding a bicycle, we can pedal, pedal, pedal, and then coast for awhile. There is no coasting in the Christian walk. We must continue to take one step after another as we pursue living for Christ.

I am reading in Ephesians this month, and it contains numerous references that help define our Christian walk.
2:1--As unbelievers we walked according to the course of this world
2:10--We are to walk in the good works that Christ prepared beforehand
4:1--We are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called
4:17--We are not to walk any longer as the Gentiles walk, in the fulity of their mind
5:2--We are to walk in love
5:8-We are to walk as children of light
5:15--We are to be careful how we walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of our time

So the next time you go for a walk, think about the Christian walk and the life God calls us to.

Just Like Me

It is easy to read the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, and shake your head at the sin of the people. God continues to show faithful lovingkindness and compassion to the people, and they continue to reject Him. How could they? How stupid are these people?

If I'm honest, I must admist that they are really just like me. This week I was reading Psalm 106, which recaps the history of Israel. As I looked at the mistakes they made, I was humbled to realize how easily I can do the same thing.

Verse 7 says, they did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses. It is easy to get caught up in our problems and the activities of every day life, and not be remembering God's abundant lovingkindnesses. If that was the focus of my thinking, I would be continually thankful and joyful. So whenever I get discouraged, distracted, or disappointed, at that moment I am probably not remembering God's abundant kindnesses to me.

Verse 13 says, They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel. Again they display forgetfulness, as do I. But also they did not wait on the Lord, as we are commanded to do many times, like in Psalm 27:14. I can so easily go my own way, and not even think about the counsel of the Lord. Or I get impatient and try to make things happen the way I want them to, or the way I think God would want them to, rather than waiting on Him.

In verse 21 they forgot God their Savior. If I am continually focused on the salvation I have in Christ, that will totally change my outlook on my situation, my relationships, my difficulties, everything. Like the song says, when I turn my eyes on Jesus the things of this world grow strangely dim.

Verse 24 says, they despised the pleasant land. I too can fail to value what God values. I can despise His will for my life, and think I have a better plan. I would never state it that boldly, but at particular moments of time that's really the logical outcome of my thinking. Whenever I think, I would be happy if... or life would be so much better if...I am despising the 'pleasant land' where my sovereign God has lovingly and wisely placed me.

But praise the Lord! He continues to show compassion and lovingkindness to His people, including me! Psalm 106:48: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the Lord!