NO PEACE
Opening Prayer
I lift up all that I am to you today, Lord God, with praise and thanksgiving. Help me to live for you in ways that bring you glory, that show others who you are.
Read PSALM 123
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 123
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Recall a time when you experienced God’s presence in a time of trouble. Rejoice in his love and faithfulness.There are times in life when we’ve had enough and need something to change for the better. At such times, it’s tempting to take matters into our own hands, but this psalm reminds us that it is into God’s hands that we should place our predicament.
Psalm 123 is the song of God’s people who have had enough of the contempt of the wealthy and arrogant who exploit them (v. 4). This is, in a sense, a protest song—one that God’s people would sing en route to Jerusalem where they would seek justice. It is trusting dependence on God—like that of an employee assured that their employer will act in their best interests—that gives voice to this song (v. 2). God’s people can ask for his mercy, assured that he desires to show mercy (vv. 2, 3).
The honesty of expression in this song reveals it to be a prayer of hope for those who know what it is for their prayers not to be answered instantly—the singers have already endured ‘no end of contempt’ (vv. 3, 4). This psalm is therefore a gift to all God’s people today who, wherever they are in the world, must cling to the hope of his mercy amid adversity.
Apply
Use the words of this psalm to talk honestly with God about your need of his mercy, and to express your expectant hope of his renewing intervention.
Closing prayer
Father in Heaven, when I am in desperate need of your mercy, help me come to you with expectant hope; help me trust in your faithfulness and care for me, in your commitment to all that is good for me.
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