Monday, January 26, 2009
Psalm 123 is a longing to find favor with the One enthroned in heaven while enduring so much disrespect, contempt and hurt from others. We know that whatever we focus on becomes the BIG thing in our lives. If we focus on the problem, then the problem is number one. This Psalm reminds us to lift up our eyes to gaze into the Father's just as a slave would look to his master and a maid her mistress for acceptance, direction, mercy and lovingkindness. We do not really connect with the other person if we do not look into each other's eyes giving our full attention to each other. By focusing on the Father, who He is, and His love we can feel free to bring our innermost thoughts to Him irregardless of what they are. As we connect we are granted His total attention. Can you even imagine what that means? The God of the Universe, Creator God, Sovereign God cares about you so much as to desire this time of our coming to Him. He desires that we look up higher, deeper and broader than we do in normal circumstances. We are to look to Him and His Word for guidance at ALL times even when we are not treated with respect. I am so grateful that God, in His infinite mercy, looks down to meet me and grant me favor in His sight.
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Many years ago Patsy Brunson taught a Masterlife class in which I learned a precious valuable life application technique for focusing my mind. Try this: don't think about the number 7, stop thinking about the number 7, don't you wish your mind would quit thinking about the number 7, etc. You can't stop thinking of the number 7 because that is what you are thinking about. But if you want to stop thinking about the number 7 then you could replace the thought with "I am thinking of the number 3, I love the number 3, I love to think about the number 3. You aren't thinking of the number 7 if you are thinking of the number 3 instead. This process helps when you are worrying, angry, or tempted by something. If you are trying not to think of those things but you are telling yourself not to think about them, then you ARE thinking of them. Try thinking as Philippians 4:8 tells us on whatsoever is true, honorable, pure...
ReplyDeletePsalm 123 vs 2 says Our eyes look to the Lord our God until He has mercy and loving-kindness - favor - on us. Did you get that Look to the Lord UNTIL and we WILL recieve His mercy - His Grace - He will Grace us! By keeping our eyes on the Lord we will be aligning our lives with His will and direction and therefore recieve His mercy.
Another object lesson that drives this home to me involves drawing a straight line. First try to draw a straight line from one corner of a piece of paper to the other corner diagonally across the paper, while letting your eyes wonder to different parts of the paper. Now try doing the same thing while keeping your eyes focused on the point you want to end up at. Your eyes guide your hand to draw the line to the spot you wanted to go. This same thing applies when we keep our eyes on God then our lives will be guided to the place He desired and we will receive His Grace.
As Annette said, if you focus on your problem then your problem will appear bigger, but if you focus on God then your problem diminishes. One of my favorite sayings is: Don't tell God how big your problems are but tell your problems how big your God is! I am still practicing this hoping to get better at it!
Praise and thanks be to God, Who promised us that when we keep our eyes on Him, He will have mercy on us!