November 10, 2014: No Clenched Fists

Reading:  Psalm 123 (Click to read text)

Reflection:  We are going to do something a little bit differently this week.  Usually, on Mondays, we look at the gospel text for the coming Sunday.  But this week, we are going to look at the Psalm first.  That's because I think the Psalm sets up well the other lessons that we'll read later this week.

When I saw the assigned texts for this Sunday, I laughed a bit because it was Psalm 123.  I thought to myself, "This psalm probably gets less reading time than it's counterpart 100 chapters earlier."  We all have probably heard Psalm 23.  But Psalm 123 is rich in meaning and lessons as well.

Verse two tells us, "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."  It reminds us that in all we do, we should look to God, our master.  And then it tells us that we should ask God for mercy.

I've had an over four-decades long relationship with God.  And, if there is one thing I know, God is a giving God.  God freely gives to God's children.  That is such a comforting thought.  This week, we will read of other stories about giving, especially money.  And as we do, I'd like you remember that God is a loving and giving God.  When we look to God, there will be no clenched fists but rather outstretched arms.  --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director