Our Scripture meditation is based on Psalm 123, the appointed Psalm for next week.
[1] 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.
The more society turns its back on God, the more we resonate more with Psalm 123. This is good, because this Psalm provides us with divine guidance for dealing with society.
Like the Psalmist, we are asking the Lord to have mercy upon us. Far too many hold our core beliefs and practices are held in contempt by society. Our belief in creation? Mocked. Our conviction that all are sinful and need Jesus the Savior? Dismissed. Our convictions about marriage? Ridiculed.
Even as we feel this contempt, we are reminded of that same Savior’s love for all people. Immediately, we recall that our Lord calls us to love all, even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44). What then shall we do?
This psalm provides as excellent answer. Psalm 123 is a “Psalm of Ascent.” It was offered by worshippers on their way to the temple in Jerusalem. Notice the pilgrims were already focusing on God as they traveled to the temple. As we feel pressure from society, we can do the same. We can immediately pray to and praise God. We can do this each day until we can gather together in our local sanctuaries, where the prayer and praise reach a crescendo.
In together turning to God, we are focused on the one who will walk with us through trials. We are worshipping the one who intervenes on behalf of His people. We are calling out to the One who equips us to love our neighbor, regardless of their beliefs or convictions.
Kevin Wilson 360 