January 8, 2007

Text: Psalm 123


THE LIFTING UP OF THE EYES TO GOD
"Unto You, I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens."    Psalm 123:1

1. Lifting up of the eyes to the hills    Psalm 123:1

a) Literal, physical hills

b) Uplifting of the heart through gazing at the hills

c) How it works
    i) Sight and relationship/affinity to "the hills"

    ii) Sight and feeling

    iii) Sight and faith

2. Lifting up of the eyes to the Lord    Psalm 123:1

a) No intermediate means

b) More challenging to attempt

c) How it works
    i) Knowledge of God

    ii) Experiences in life

    iii) Faith in God

THE EFFORT OF LIFTING THE EYES

1. It takes effort

2. It takes faith

3. It is takes practice

4. It takes well-trained heart of a good and faithful servant

THE MANNER OF LIFTING UP THE EYES TO THE LORD    Psalm 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."    Psalm 123:2

1. To focus hard on the Lord

2. To focus on the Lord as Master

3. To have a heart of a good and faithful servant

a) As a faithful servant waits upon an earthly master

b) A special relationship has been worked out over the years

THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE
"For we are exceedingly filled with contempt…
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud"    Psalm 123:3b-4

1. Contempt… of the proud

2. Scorn… of those who are at ease

3. Problems

a) General problems- with reference to those who are proud and scornful

b) Specific problems- with reference to the enemies of the nation

THE PLEA FOR MERCY
"So our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us…

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!"    Psalm 123: 2c, 3a,

1. Strong plea for "mercy"
(This word is employed three times… "in the same breath")

2. Tremendous need for God's mercy felt

3. Adoption of a humble attitude in lifting up one's eyes to the Lord

4. Maintenance of this humble spirit with uplifted eyes of faith

A GREAT CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

1. To lift up our eyes to the Lord… as good and faithful servants

2. To lift up our eyes with deep humility

3. To lift up our eyes with persevering faith… "Until He has mercy on us"