By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: GOD’S MERCY: OUR HIGH EXPECTATION”
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 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.”
REFLECTIONS
Praise God for His lovingkindness and mercies throughout the year. As we celebrate the goodness of the Lord in preserving our lives until this last day of the year, 2024, we can only shout: Ebenezer – “Thus far, the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12. Despite your challenges, troubles, struggles, pains, failures, disappointments, and let-downs, the Lord has preserved your life above all the vicissitudes you encountered in the year. What is better than life? Is it wealth, academic achievements, accomplishments, fame, successes, appointments, elevations, new positions, or status change? Name them.
At the close of the year, Psalm 123 is an important passage to consider. The earnest appeal of the believer, the one in distress, the destitute, the despised, and the needy, is: “Unto You, I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens”- Verse 1. God, who dwells in heaven, is the answer to all our challenges and questions. When you are ridiculed, hold your breath and look up to heaven; your redeemer will defend your course. So far as you maintain your integrity with the Lord, do not allow anyone to hold you in derision.
Have you been held in contempt because of an incident in your life? Were you despised because you could not match up with others? Do you feel scorned or second-rated because your colleagues are forging ahead and leaving you behind? Are you tense because of what some people say or what you perceive them to be saying? Can you point out one person who has not had an iota of a challenge in life? Why would you allow people’s ignorance to eat into your flesh and cause you pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, sorrow, and worry? How much of your life do you have control over? What you can have control over is your attitude that needs to change, your behavior that must be transformed, and your values that you need to review.
This four-verse psalm encourages those needing to look up to God in their moments of desperation and distress. Verse 2 exhorts, “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.” The expression of eager expectation in God’s mercy is reassuring – “Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us . . .” verse 3. When held in contempt, ridiculed, or scorned, do not blame God because of what someone says or thinks. In every phase of human life, there are challenges. Pray for God’s grace to handle the so-called downside in your life effectively, wisely, proficiently, and godly. In uncertain situations, we can hope in God’s mercy by looking up and taking our eyes from the predicament to the One who dwells in heaven – the source of life and the strength of our faith.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“You Raise Me Up” – Josh Groban
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His grace and mercy throughout the year; thank Him profusely for life; pray to depend on His mercies in all circumstances;
– Pray for family, friends, neighbors, church members, acquaintances, and colleagues that God’s mercy will continue to hold them;
– Pray for people you know to be struggling, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and trials, displaced people, victims of war and disaster, starving families and children;
– Praise God for His mercies over the nation, the peace He has granted, protection, divine healing, and the unceasing conviction from the Holy Spirit.
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