Carina Francke

Scripture: Psalm 123:2: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as

the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord  our God until He has mercy on us.

This image was borrowed from the ancient custom that slaves were punished for their transgressions in the presence of their masters and bystanders.  The slave would keep his eyes on his master, closely watching for a gesture or a nod of the head that would indicate the end of his punishment.

The Psalmist's moving plea, "so our eyes look to the Lord  our God until He has mercy on us" communicate his complete dependency on the Author of mercy - The Lord our God.

He pleaded on behalf of the nation because proud and arrogant people scorned and hated them. And nothing has changed - in this day and age people are still being belittled and scorned by their colleagues, a marriage partner or bullies. Or perhaps merely being despised as a person with little value. If you find yourself in such a situation, look up to the Lord, the one who will have  compassion on you. Keep on praying and trusting in His intervention.......because His love for you always puts mercy into motion.

Today's  portion of scripture vividly paints in words our dependency on a higher authority, on God. You can see hungry people, broken and lonely people, cast-outs, ill-treated people and people on the fringes eagerly awaiting deliverance from the the Lord. They hunger for food, healing for heart and body.  They desire a family,  acceptance and to be part of a community where the word "outsider" is blotted out.

And then I read about God's intervention, "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us. Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and  we have escaped. Our help is the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124:2, 4, 6-8)

If your circumstances are so painful and hurting that you feel like giving up,  lift up your eyes unto God in acknowledgement that He is the only One with power to strengthen you and shower you with mercy. Jesus did that (John 17:1) and Steven also (Acts 7:55).  You are in good company!.

Prayer: Thank you that You always hear my cry and every prayer I present to you. Give me grace though to wait patiently until You come through for me. Only then I will be able to lift my head proudly and rejoice in Your provision and involvement in my life.  Amen.