Psalm 123

In Psalm 23 David vowed I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 123 records the beginning of the pilgrim’s journey to that place, where he can dwell with God.  He has grown weary of life dominated by the typical warring of humanity (120).  As he turns toward Jerusalem he sees the hills that speak of the danger of this journey.  But he has the confidence of help from the Lord who made heaven and earth (121).  Surely if he is drawing near to God, God will help him at every point.  He has joined with other pilgrims who share the same vision of the Holy City where they will experience the house of David AND the house of the Lord (122).  

As he leaves his life-long home he has a different perspective.  No longer is he lifting his eyes up to the hills; no longer is he obsessed by the difficulties of the narrow path.  Rather, he lifts his eyes up to You who dwell in the heavens.  What a strong focus he has.  As servants to their masters and maids to their mistresses so his eyes look to the Lord.  The servant understands that his entire life is dependent on the provision of his master.  He longs not for justice (what I deserve) but mercy (compassion, what I need for difficulties of my own making).  Life has become difficult because for so long the pilgrim has lived so far away from God.  But he sets out with confidence that God will help.

And what is the first problem he encounters?  It is what you would expect from those people who have been so much a part of our lives when the decision has been made to turn away from them and head in a different direction.  We are exceedingly filled with contempt … with the scorn of those who are at ease.  

It is a fact.  If you tell someone that things you used to enjoy together can no longer be a part of your life they will not be happy.  It’s a put-down to them.  They see it as your condemnation of them.  They will take it personally.  It comes in many ways, and typically it is the first difficulty in drawing near to God.  It is a time like this when we find out that those we called friends in the past were not true in their friendship.  They may make light of us and what has now become the most serious thing in life for us.  That can be hard.

Let us recognize the value of this test of repentance.  All too many have set out for the presence of God only to find that they weren’t wholly dissatisfied with the old life.  This temptation is permitted by God to strengthen our resolve.  It also helps us discover longings that might still remain for aspects of the old life.  

We must realize this is a trial to be expected.  And we must realize we need help to stay the course.  This trial will teach us how to cry out to God for His mercy.  It will encourage us never to hesitate.  And it will sharpen the focus on the One who dwells in the heavens.