Do Not Take On More Than You Can Handle

Note from today’s Bible reading: Psalm 131; 138-139; 143-145

In one of the psalms, David acknowledged his limitations: “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” (Psalm 131:1). He trusted in God and knew that He was able to take care of situations that were more than David could handle.

Knowing this, David expressed a child-like trust in God: “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” (Psalm 131:2). Just as a child is completely dependent upon his mother, David recognized that he was completely dependent upon God.

The lesson for us in this is not that we should avoid personal growth or challenging situations. We need to do what we are responsible for and grow within our capabilities while recognizing our dependence upon the Lord. We are not God; therefore, we need to know our limitations and put our trust in Him.

So do not take on more than you can handle. Ambition and diligence are positive and necessary qualities that we are to have, yet we must not fool ourselves into thinking that we do not need God. Let us do all we can and leave the rest in the Lord’s hands.