The Master's Hand

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, 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 on us.

OBSERVATION: This simple and short psalm was recited by travelers on their way to Jerusalem, going up the incline to the city and to the temple. Along the way they remembered their contempt and their problems. They also remembered their position as servant of God. As a servant you demand nothing. It is best to remember your place.
A good servant keeps his eye on his master. The hands of the master are especially important for two reasons: one is that a servant should be doing manual chores so that the master doesn't have to. If the master's hands reach for a hammer, the servant should see the movement and pick up the hammer himself. An attentive servant anticipates what he can do t o ease the work of his master's hands. The second reason is for provision. What the servant has comes form his master's hand.

APPLICATION: The obvious question is about my attentiveness to the hand of God. As a good servant, I will see where He is at work and serve Him in that place. This is the basic teaching of Henry Blackaby's book, "Experiencing God." Where is God at work? What does He have His hand in?
At our Worship Wednesday service this week, people shared testimonies of God's activity in their lives. It was powerful. It was so encouraging to hear story after story of God's miraculous provision. God is at work in the lives of people.

PRAYER: Have mercy on us, O God. Help me to see the direction and intention of Your hand so that I might serve You faithfully. I want to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."