Have Mercy on Us, Lord

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Have Mercy on Us, Lord

Date: Oct. 14, 2016

Passage

Psalm 123:1-4 (ESV)

A Song of Ascents.

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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 123:1

A Song of Ascents.

1 To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

First, till he shows us his mercy (1-2). The Psalmist lifted up his eyes to the Lord, and sought him-the Sovereign Lord who is enthroned in heaven. He looked to the Lord as a slave looks to the hand of his master. It was complete dependence, as the mind of a servant has. This was how the Psalmist described those who seek God with such a single minded purpose. What was he seeking so intently? It was God's mercy. The one who is our king rules us in his mercy. His mercy is what his people long for-to see it, know it and experience it in all things.

Second, we have endured no end of contempt (3-4). Under what conditions did the Psalmist pray for mercy? His plea came at the very time that God's people were being ridiculed and treated with contempt by the arrogant and proud-God's enemies. It may have seemed like the time to pray for relief, but the Psalmist deeply accepted their trial in God's sovereign will. There he prayed to meet the God who is enthroned and ruling all things in his mercy.

Prayer: Lord, you are Lord and sovereign of all. Please rule your servants in mercy and help us to seek and meet you in all things.

One Word: Have mercy on us

A Powerful Prayer

Acts 4:23-37

Key Verse: 4:29-30

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Today's Question

What does the fourth commandment require?

See answer and references