“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.” – Psalm 123:1

Scripture reading: Psalm 123:1-4

Psalm 123 is one of a group of Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent.  They were used by the Old Testament Church to prepare themselves for the corporate worship of God.  This particular Psalm takes us to the very heart of that preparation as we are encouraged to look to the very throne room of heaven.  You see, the Old Testament people of God were summoned to regularly use the outward means of grace (Temple, sacrifices etc.), but they were at the same time not to be satisfied with just the outward means.  They were to see beyond the means of grace to the One seated on the very throne of heaven itself.

This is an extremely important principle for us, even in the New Testament.  While the outward means of grace have changed to reflect the coming and finished work of Christ, the principle of Psalm 123 ought to be alive and well in us.  As you go to worship today, you will experience the outward use of God’s means of grace (preaching, sacraments etc).  Please do not be content with merely these externals!  Enter into the courts of the Lord longing to behold the very throne of heaven where Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand.  Go to the house of the Lord looking to the Lord for mercy – and do not be satisfied until (v.2) that mercy is received.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the Lord would prepare your heart for worship today.  Ask Him to bless you and your congregation with a renewed sense of the Lord’s mercy.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.