Scripture: Psalm 123

Key verse: (3) “Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt”

Reflection: Today’s psalm is called a Song of Ascents. It is one of many psalms that were used when pilgrims were travelling up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. These kinds of psalms prepare the heart and mind to be open to God’s transforming power. This is a prayer of deliverance that calls a person to submit to God. We live in a world where we resist submitting to anyone or anything. In some cases, this is justified because of abuse which must never be tolerated. So, it’s important to note that the psalmist is not suggesting we humbly submit to abuse or abusers. Rather, this psalm invites us to humbly submit to God, to acknowledge that there is One who is greater than any of us, the Lord of heaven and earth in whom we place our trust. It is common to be open to this kind of submission when we are afraid or in despair and we feel the need for God to intervene. I wonder what might happen if we submitted ourselves to God on the days when life is going well. What might happen if we did this every good or bad day? What love and mercy might we experience that would give us courage to face the ups and downs of life, as well as, the confidence to reach out to those who need help.

What if we humbled ourselves before God?

Prayer: Merciful God, have mercy on us. Free us from all that holds us back from receiving your mercy so that we can share it with those who need love and hope. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Author: Deborah Conner

[Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved].