June 7, 2024 - Psalms 121-125

“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 on us” (Ps 123:1,2).  Why do we, day by day, call out to God in prayer and ask for what we need?  Why did Jesus teach us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread?”  It’s because we know that the source of all our blessing and provision is the Lord.  Like the servant or the maidservant looks to the master who provides lodging and food and clothing, so we look to the Lord who provides all we need.

When we have worked diligently, and we have employed our God given abilities and gifts, and we see the fruits of our labors, it is easy to forget that all we have does indeed come from God.  It is good to be reminded.  And it is good, day by day, when we lift our eyes and say “Thank you!” to our God.

To you, O Lord, I lift my eyes,

to you enthroned above the skies.

As servants watch their master's hand,

or maidens by their mistress stand,

so to the Lord our eyes we raise,

until his mercy he displays.

O Lord our God, your mercy show,

for human pride and scorn we know.

Reproach and shame your saints endure

from sinners who appear secure.

To you, O Lord, I lift my eyes,

to you enthroned above the skies.   –Anonymous (1866)