“To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 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. 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.” (v1-4)
The author prays to God for deliverance from persecution, for God is the mighty one enthroned upon the heavens.
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.” (Pro 29:27) Those persecuting the author are being an abomination to them and God, yet the author is seen as an abomination to those persecuting them (the wicked). Talk about a difference of opinion.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Pet 3:12) This is exactly what the author is asking for: God’s eyes to be on them and have mercy regarding those committing evils against them.
My learning for today is a reminder to bring all things (including persecution and injustice) before God in prayer. When the righteous talk to God regarding things in alignment with His will, He will hear us (Jn 9:31). Let’s not assume that we shouldn’t bring something to God in prayer – He already knows what’s going on, though He may not act if we don’t talk to Him about it in faith.
Father God, You who are enthroned in the heavens, to You we lift up our eyes. Please have mercy on us for those things which burden our hearts. We are aware of great struggle in this world, and there is a critical election today, so Father please guide us. May we act according to Your will, may our words be those provided by Your Spirit, and may we never cease bringing anything to You in prayer. Please help keep us on the path of righteousness, and keep our tongues from evil, so that You may be glorified. All honor and glory are Yours Father. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training