Approval

"I lift up my eyes to you, to you living in the sky," Psalm 123:1.

Just like waiters look to their clients for direction, so do we look to you, Lord God. You're enthroned in heaven. We look to you. Have mercy, O God! Have mercy on us. Righteousness is hard. It's hard to do what's right when others look down on us for wanting to do the right. It's hard to do what's right when we're looking for others' approval. Dear God, please grant mercy to us to know your approval is enough. Your approval is sufficient. To know relationship with you is sweeter than any other. We're exhausted by the insults of lazy, proud people. We're looking to you, O God, to sense your blessing to satisfy our souls.

We encourage a brother or sister today, and are encouraged, to press on kindly, righteously. We want to be like Jesus, who pressed on against bitter opposition. And, together, looking to God, we give thanks for receiving mercy through Jesus.