The incredible mural in the picture above can be found on the gable end of 1198 Govan Road (a stone’s throw from the Preshal Trust centre where I work). It celebrates the life of the early 20th century political activist, Mary Barbour, who hailed from the neighbourhood. The mural, however, is intended to imagine a modern day Mary Barbour, looking to a brighter future. For me it is the look in the young woman’s eyes that is so captivating. I love how the artist leaves much to our imagination…
What is she looking and longing for?
What does she see?
The next step on our pilgrimage through the “songs of ascents” leaves us in no doubt where the psalmist’s gaze is fixed. It begins, “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven” (Psalm 123:1).
The psalm we reflected on last week pictures God’s people gathering in one centre (Jerusalem) for worship. But in Psalm 123 we note that our living God is not restricted to a geographical location. The psalm echoes what the prophet Isaiah says of God, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (66:1).
What insights does the psalmist offer this week about our walk through this world?
He exhibits, first of all, wholehearted faith…
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven” (Psalm 123:1).
It strikes me that we can look at something in one of two ways - glimpse or gaze. To glimpse something is a fleeting experience. To gaze on an object is much more prolonged.
The psalmist gaze is fixed on God.
I chanced upon a wee life hack some years ago that illustrates what this means. I found that if I was carrying a full cup of coffee upstairs I would invariably spill some of it. However, I discovered that if I focused on a door handle at the top of the stairs I would then be able to walk straight up without spilling a drop. My eyes remained fixed on that object. Wholehearted faith looks to God in a similar way. It rests on his character, feeds on his promises and grows through walking with him.
Secondly, he demonstrates humble expectation…
“As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid looks to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us mercy” (123:2).
Psalm 121 teaches us that God is our protector. This psalm underlines that God is our provider. Paul’s words in Philippians 4 echoes the sentiments of this psalm. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (verse 19).
And lastly, the psalmist reveals a sense of patient waiting…
“…till he shows us mercy” (123:2).
Waiting is difficult whether it be in life generally or faith particularly. But the justly famous words from Isaiah are a strong reminder that a season of waiting actually fortifies our faith:
“Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:30-31)
What the young woman sees in the Govan mural is left our imagination. However, the Bible leaves us in no doubt that the object of the Christian's faith rests absolutely and exclusively on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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