Psalm 131 is described by Eugene Peterson as a “maintenance Psalm” which is active in “pruning away unruly ambition and infantile dependency”.

Jesus showed throughout the gospels that God isn't interested solely in what's happening in our external world, but was deeply interested in our internal world. Discipleship to Jesus requires regular heart-checks, as Nicky Gumbel says; “Are you focused on your promotion or on exalting Jesus? Is your ambition more for yourself or for Jesus?”

Taking up our crosses and following Jesus isn't a road to exaltation, it's the road of humility; the same one Jesus led the way in (Philippians 2:8). It is this same road that we must walk in our long obedience in the same direction.