Asking For Grace
The psalmist speaks in this psalm of a great time of celebration and scoffers who show contempt toward the things of God. We see similar attitudes during the Christmas and Easter holidays by those that secularise the celebrations and scoff at God and His people. How do we respond to the arrogant and contemptuous of this world? The psalmist gives us the answer in Psalm 123.
In the middle of arrogant scoffers, the prayer of the psalmist begins with a focus on the sovereignty of God (1-2). God is enthroned in the heavens and in providential control over all things (1). God is Lord, and we are His servants. The psalmist prays to the Lord confidently expecting that He will answer them (2). They will keep praying until God is gracious.
The psalmist continues his prayer by directly asking God for His grace (3-4). Grace is God’s unmerited favour and mercy. The psalmist is praying for this in the midst of living in a hostile world. He exclaims that they have had enough of the contempt of those around them (3). They can’t take it anymore from the arrogant scoffers (4). People show contempt when their comforts are greater than their challenges or dangers in life. They become proud in their self-sufficiency and live as if God does not exist (like fools).
Brethren, the fools of this world deny the existence of God and live as they are masters of their own lives. They live at ease with their comforts and pridefully scoff at the people of God for living to honour Christ in all aspects of their lives. Do not be surprised if you are scoffed and maligned. Pray faithfully and expectantly to the Lord for His sustaining grace in your life.