Psalm 123: I've Had All I Can Stand!

The weekend Psalm for:

January 9-10.2010

Read Psalm 123 from the English Standard Version

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The Big Idea

I hate platitudes. Few people see my work shop, but I have a sign up in there that I made about 30 years ago, when I was in college (the first time). This is a paraphrase, but you'll get the idea: When life gives you crap, make crapade.

While my verbiage has changed over the years, the underlying sentiment still stands: There are things that don't get any better no matter how much sugar and water you add.  

Meditation 

Life really can be hard. Get any group of ten people together, and ask to hear their stories. You'll hear about family struggles, job woes, economic setbacks, deceased children, abusive relationships, substance abuse, crime, gambling, and so on. It doesn't help to tell someone "just add sugar," "look on the bright side," "turn your frown upside down."

I've found that what I need is not platitudes. What I need is God. Jesus Christ paid an incredible price to redeem us from the pit.

Platitudes never lead to redemption--only God can do that. 

This weekend, look at your situation. Had enough? Forget about swizzling your troubles into sugared water. By the time we hit college age, we all know--platitudes are no help at all. Look at the difficulties in your life, and then, look up toward God. Easy answers are useless--what we need, here, is mercy. 

Praying With This Psalm

You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others. 

• Father God, may _________ know that you are enthroned in the heavens, and that you are in view when we are in the midst of troubles.
  
  
• May ______ look to you as their only source, their only hope in whatever difficulties they face.
  
  
• Almighty God, may ______ look to you like a pauper looks to a king. We are paupers, you are the King.
  
  
• Lord God, give _____ the grace to cry out to you for mercy, with the assurance that you will respond.
  
  
• Lord Jesus, ______ has had enough. Show ______ that mercy comes from you, and you alone. 

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• 2 Peter 2:10. From whence mercy comes...
  Lord, may _____ be one of your people. May ____ receive mercy.
  

• 1 Peter 2:16. Free, yet a servant...
  Lord Jesus, may ______ live as a person who is free, but may they avoid evil not because they should, but because they are given the privilege of being your servants.   

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD