It’s times like this that bring a man face to face with himself.”
–Louis L’Amour (Last Stand at Pagago Wells)
“But in keeping with his promises we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
“But in keeping with his promises we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
–2 Peter 3:13 (NIV 1978)
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What are you focusing on? That’s the question that needs an answer from Psalm 123. Charles H. Spurgeon states, “We must use our eyes with resolution, for they will not go upward to the Lord of themselves, but they incline to look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord.” When people scoff at you and try to hinder your walk with the Lord we might ask “Where are you, Lord?” or “Why don’t You do something?”
1 — Unto You, I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.
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.
3 — Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 — Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at east, with the contempt of the proud. (NKJV)
It does take discipline to lift up our eyes. It is much easier to look down, or inward and blame troubles on our weakness or on others.
If you do much hiking, especially in the high country, you may at times look behind you and see that it would be much easier to go back down to the valley rather than continue the upward climb toward your destination. “You look up, the difficulties looming over you are formidable and, without God’s help, insurmountable.” (George Wood) The writer of this Psalm was having trouble maintaining his gaze on the destination. Heaven is our home–why then do we look longingly to the world? This pilgrim must “transfer his gaze from the difficult circumstances to God himself.” (Wood) Don’t focus on the circumstances, the storm, the battle, the sickness–focus on the Lord.
As Christians, we must come to the conclusion that the Lord is there. He is there every step of the way. He is there to guide, to feed, to quench our thirst, to help us overcome. God is not up on top of the “mountain” watching us, but is right there beside us. The words of the song come to me:
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will me taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.
–W. Elmo Mercer
When it seems that we cannot take another step–take one more. When it seems our endurance is at an end–take a deep breath and regain your focus. When exhaustion comes–realize that the Lord gives added strength. The NIV translates verse 4, “We have endured much…” That is when we should ask the Lord for help, or as the Psalmist exhorts, ask Him for mercy. The load is heavy, let Him help you with it.
George Wood points out that this psalm does not have a word of praise or thanksgiving. Listen, be honest, some days are like that. That’s when spiritual discipline comes in. Even when worn out, focus on the Lord, take another step forward and upward, and even if it is only duty the words of Paul should come to mind, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV) Remember, the road is upward, not downward. Don’t be dragged back down, but ask for mercy each day as you walk the Gloryland Trail.
“Awake, our souls! Away our fears!
Let every anxious thought be gone!
Awake, and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.”
–Isaac Watts
————————————–
What are you focusing on? That’s the question that needs an answer from Psalm 123. Charles H. Spurgeon states, “We must use our eyes with resolution, for they will not go upward to the Lord of themselves, but they incline to look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord.” When people scoff at you and try to hinder your walk with the Lord we might ask “Where are you, Lord?” or “Why don’t You do something?”
1 — Unto You, I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.
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.
3 — Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 — Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at east, with the contempt of the proud. (NKJV)
It does take discipline to lift up our eyes. It is much easier to look down, or inward and blame troubles on our weakness or on others.
If you do much hiking, especially in the high country, you may at times look behind you and see that it would be much easier to go back down to the valley rather than continue the upward climb toward your destination. “You look up, the difficulties looming over you are formidable and, without God’s help, insurmountable.” (George Wood) The writer of this Psalm was having trouble maintaining his gaze on the destination. Heaven is our home–why then do we look longingly to the world? This pilgrim must “transfer his gaze from the difficult circumstances to God himself.” (Wood) Don’t focus on the circumstances, the storm, the battle, the sickness–focus on the Lord.
As Christians, we must come to the conclusion that the Lord is there. He is there every step of the way. He is there to guide, to feed, to quench our thirst, to help us overcome. God is not up on top of the “mountain” watching us, but is right there beside us. The words of the song come to me:
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will me taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.
–W. Elmo Mercer
When it seems that we cannot take another step–take one more. When it seems our endurance is at an end–take a deep breath and regain your focus. When exhaustion comes–realize that the Lord gives added strength. The NIV translates verse 4, “We have endured much…” That is when we should ask the Lord for help, or as the Psalmist exhorts, ask Him for mercy. The load is heavy, let Him help you with it.
George Wood points out that this psalm does not have a word of praise or thanksgiving. Listen, be honest, some days are like that. That’s when spiritual discipline comes in. Even when worn out, focus on the Lord, take another step forward and upward, and even if it is only duty the words of Paul should come to mind, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV) Remember, the road is upward, not downward. Don’t be dragged back down, but ask for mercy each day as you walk the Gloryland Trail.
“Awake, our souls! Away our fears!
Let every anxious thought be gone!
Awake, and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.”
–Isaac Watts