Thoughts for the Day

To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
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 upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.

(Lectionary, New Revised Version)

Thoughts

Psalm 123 (one of the Songs of Ascent) continues a theme often found in Lent - the need to be watchful. Today we are called to raise our eyes to the heavens, to God Himself. We are to be like loyal servants responsive to a hand gesture or nod of a head from their master. Perhaps this image is not one that we understand today, so think of a game of football where a striker trying to achieve a goal reacts to every body movement of the other player.

However, there is a better description found in an old hymn: 'Ye servants of the Lord' (Full text below - sorry couldn't find a good recording!). Verse 1 reminds each of us to be watchful today, ready to respond in our different circumstances to God. Verse 2 picks up an image from the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom (ie about Jesus' Second Coming) some of whom are not ready when he arrives (Matthew 25.1-13). While verses 4 and 5 reminds of the happiness of those who have been responsive to their Lord's commands on earth when they are invited to His heavenly banquet (Luke 14.15-23).

We are to be watchful for God's intervention in our lives, especially in Lent. Sometimes this comes in the most ordinary of ways - a thought, or someone else's words, or an odd coincidence.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You taught Your disciples to be watchful.
They were to be on the look out for God's commands,
and for His intervention in the world around them.
Help us to see Your presence in our world today,
for the times You answer our prayers,
often in unexpected ways,
and for when You go beyond the expected answer.
Keep our eyes focussed on You
and expectant of Your intervention.
Amen.