A Plea For Grace To The Sovereign Lord.

Eyes on the Sovereign: A Plea for Grace

Bible Passage: Psalm 123

Psalm 123 expresses a deep yearning for mercy and grace from God amidst trials and disdain from those around us. It highlights the necessity of looking to the Lord as the ultimate source of help and hope.

We need to understand the importance of relying on God's grace in difficult times. It encourages us to lift our eyes to God when facing challenges or when feeling marginalized or disrespected, reaffirming that God hears ours pleas and offers solace and strength.

God's grace is essential in our struggles. It emphasizes the importance of being humble and turning to the Lord in prayer as our only true source of help. As Believers we are reminded that God provides comfort and honor, even when the world seems to reject us.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader context of scripture, Jesus embodies the ultimate plea for grace as he intercedes for humanity. Psalm 123 points toward the grace we find in Christ, who is our mediator. The passage reflects our need for reliance on Jesus, who is the answer to our cries for help and mercy.

In the midst of our struggles and rejection, we must keep our eyes on God who is graciously attentive to our pleas and offers us the grace we need through Christ.

1. Lift Our Eyes

Psalm 123:1 (ESV)

To you I lift up my eyes,

O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 123:2 (ESV)

Behold, as the eyes of servants

look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maidservant

to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

till he has mercy upon us.

Looking up to God as a servant looks to the hand of their master is a profound act of trust and dependency. Emphasize that, like these servants, our eyes must remain on the Lord, acknowledging His authority and grace. Reflect on the humility required to wait patiently and expectantly on God to act in His timing. This sets the stage for understanding our place in relation to God—an important first step in experiencing His grace through Jesus Christ.

2. Long for Mercy

Psalm 123:3 (ESV)

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,

for we have had more than enough of contempt.

God sees our plight and views our struggles in this world. He has all the grace at his disposal and is even praying for us. He knows our needs even before we ask Him

Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 2:1–2 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Matthew 6:7–8 ESV

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Psalm 123:4 (ESV)

Our soul has had more than enough

of the scorn of those who are at ease,

of the contempt of the proud.

Matthew 10:24–25 ESV

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.