When we have troubled times or people around us throw scorn and contempt our way, how do we respond? I would venture to say that we return evil for evil. At least that’s what we want to do. Be honest with yourself and think about how you respond to people as they look down on you and your family. Generally, we react by becoming defensive and doing what we need to protect our families. While that is our first reaction, it is not always the best.
Look to the Lord because He is our Hope
The psalmist, in Psalm 123, gives us his perspective on God. He writes, “To YOU I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” This is a beautiful expression of someone finding hope amid scorn and contempt from others. He looks towards the One who is “enthroned” in the heavens.
This is the one true God. The God who not only created us but the God who sustains us and protects us. He is our King, and He is our Ruler! There is great wisdom from this writer as he makes his way towards Jerusalem to worship.
Look to the Lord as a servant to his Master
Notice in verse 2 that there is a perspective we don’t always see. First, the eyes of the servant don’t look into the eyes of the master. They look at the hand of their master or the maidservant to the hand of her mistress. This is interesting because both blessing and punishment come from the hands of the master or mistress.
If a servant is hungry, he or she is fed by the mercy of the master. If the servant needs clothing, they are given clothes by the mercy of the master. The master or mistress does not owe the servant anything, but when the master or mistress provides, then the servant is grateful for the mercy. This is how the writer views God. Is this how we view God?
Look to the Lord even when He seems silent
The writer states, “So our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He has mercy upon us” (v.2). DID YOU SEE THAT? The last phrase says, “till He has mercy upon us.” That means our eyes are constantly focused on the God of mercy UNTIL He provides mercy.
The writer did not look to the Lord for a season and then look to other places for his help. The writer did not say he would try and figure out how to get revenge on those who scorned him. He said he would wait until God gave mercy.
This should help us understand exactly what following God means. It means that sometimes we wait until God acts on our behalf and provides the relief of mercy in our lives. But that’s not all.
The writer gave shows us his perspective as he waited. He just didn’t look to the Lord his God, but he cried out to the Lord his God. He said, “Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease of the contempt of the proud” (vv. 3-4).
If there is anything we should learn, it is that we continue to pray when God seems silent. We should be focused on God UNTIL He provides mercy.
Look to the Lord when others show contempt
The writer has certainly “had enough.” Have you ever been to that destination? I’m not talking about Figi and the hotel huts on the water. I’m talking about when people talk about you, despise you, trust in their abilities, and fail to look to God? We live in a cruel world where people are continuously seeking to hurt others. The writer is talking about people who despised those who worshiped God.
They showed contempt because of their pride.
Just remember, when you have had enough, God is still there and hears the prayers of those who continually cry out to Him. That is excellent news for everyone who loves God!
Continue to cry out! God hears you.
Some Questions…
- How do you currently view God?
- Do you have a place in your house, or maybe even in a particular place where you cry out to God for His mercy?
- Why do you think it’s important to cry out to God for mercy?