January 5
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OUR EYES LOOK TO THE LORD
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud. – Psalm 123
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The ESV student study bible notes on Psalm 123 says that this is a community lament. The faithful pilgrims feel themselves to be the objects of scorn and contempt. The psalm goes beyond simply asking for a safe journey. It seeks relief from the scorn. We, believers need to constantly fix our eyes on Jesus so that nothing in this world, not even contempt or scorn will derail us from the narrow path to him who is the way, the truth and the life.
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ADORATION: You are the source of all wisdom and power. I praise and laud you my Almighty Lord and Savior. I love you with as much love I can give. I worship you with all my heart, mind, soul and body.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I succumb to pitying or defending myself from being belittled, insulted or rejected and judged. Let me allow you to fight my battles. Let me remember to be like a child, always holding your hands and letting me be led by you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have given me. Do not let any of these gifts be a distraction in my close walk with you. Help me remember the Giver rather than the gift.
SUPPLICATION: Bless me with all the diligence and persistence I need so that I can focus on you, especially in times of trouble. Let me rejoice in times of peace and exult you always.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think God feels when we run to him when we are being ridiculed, rejected or abused?
• Why is the act of running to God for help important for Christians?