Psalm 123 Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
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. ³ Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
⁴ Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.

I love the example that is given on the Enduring Word Bible Commentary website for this passage about the servant looking to the hand of the master. It says, ‘The example pictures a waiter or a butler standing behind his master seated at dinner. The servant looks to the hand of his master for the slightest indication of need or want, to instantly meet the need. With that same intensity, devotion, and steadfastness, the psalmist looks to God.’

I use to think that I was a inhospitable person. I often would feel inferior when in the presence of those who knew how to prepare for their guests. They would have appetizers, drinks, and even flowers. They just seemed to know how to make a space welcoming for those they would serve. I can remember how I had a “fend for yourself” kind of attitude, ‘get your own food, get your own plate, serve your own self.’ It never crossed my mind that there was another way. As I have grown in the Lord. I have noticed something about myself that wasn’t there when I first started walking with the Lord. I watch people now to see what they may need, then I move with quickness to fulfill that need. That’s a simple example of the work of the Lord in me. He doesn’t just do big things. He does small but impactful things that ripple his goodness across our lives as well. Hospitality is a mark of the Christian.

God does fill all our need and moves to fulfill it. He is looking and watching. Are you aware of what His hand is bringing? Do you miss His blessings? Are we distracted and frustrated because we aren’t paying attention and watching for His mercy? Sometimes in life it just feels like we are tempted to be full of anger because everyone else seems to be doing just fine. They look at ease like “all is well” but we are over here struggling. We can see and think to ourselves, “we are walking with the Lord and they mock us while we are walking.” Guess what! Keep going! God will bless us. God will send His mercy. Keep your eyes upon the Lord. He is coming!

Father, thank you for the work you have done in my life. Thank you for the ways you have taught me to become attentive and watchful in hospitality. I lift my eyes up to you. Up to the heavens where you are. I watch carefully for your hand. When I see you move, I want to move with you. God, I look to you! I watch for your mercy to be given in my life. I wait for your hand to bless me. Help me Lord not to be distracted by my own contempt and frustrations. These feelings are fleeting but your love and mercy are steadfast and always comes toward me. As they mock me for my faith and disbelieve that you are real. I pray Lord that you would touch their life and show yourself as God. Draw them by your love and cause them to see your hand.

Thanks for praying and listening,

Starla