Slices
Prepare
Recall a time when you experienced God’s presence in a time of trouble. Rejoice in his love and faithfulness.
Bible passage
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.
Explore
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 (vs 2,3).
The honesty of expression in this song reveals it to be a prayer of hope of those who know what it is for their prayers not to be answered instantly – the singers have already endured ‘no end of contempt’ (vs 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.
Respond
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.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 7,8; Psalms 13,14
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for the holiday camp for children, adolescents and young people run by SU Togo which took place in July and was a resounding success. Pray that those who came will continue to think about what they learned.
