Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Psalm 123:1, 3 I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven ... Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
LORD, HELP ME BEAR PATIENTLY THE INSULTS OF THE WORLD
In this "song of ascent" the psalmist prays that the Lord would look down in mercy from His throne in heaven and bring relief to His people who are suffering severe hardship at the hands of their enemies. The specific hardship they are facing is this: unbelieving people were poking fun at them and making their lives miserable because they are followers of the Lord who desire to walk in His righteous paths, not the ways of the world.
The Jewish pilgrim would have ample reason to pray this prayer as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship the God whom they dearly loved. Their heathen neighbors must have regarded them as religious fanatics. "How stupid you people are to travel to faraway Jerusalem three times each year to worship a God who allowed your land to be conquered by Babylon and your people deported as slaves!" Undoubtedly they let their contempt show. It was a heavy cross to bear. How natural, then, that God's people turn to their Lord with a plea that He strengthen them to bear patiently such hurtful insults.
We modern day Christian pilgrims can expect to receive similar treatment from the world as we make our way towards the New Jerusalem. The message of Christ Crucified is our dearest treasure. But it remains a stumbling block and foolishness for unbelievers. This is evident by the spiteful attitude society takes towards Jesus, His Church, and those who seek to abide faithfully in His Word. "If you belonged to the world," the Savior said, "it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'" (John 15:19-20).
Yet we have reason to be joyful because we know the Lord will strengthen us to bear with patience the world's dread frown through the duration of our heavenward walk.
