God's been working on my heart pretty deeply recently. One of the verses that really drew my attention was Psalm 123: 3 "Have mercy on us O LORD, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt." Having lived a life where Jesus filled a living, active role from birth; having accepted the free gift of salvation at age 7; and having never strayed very far from center in my journey of faith; I've don't think I've ever really considered myself to be "filled with contempt" and certainly not "exceedingly filled with contempt." But as I read these words recently, I was drawn to look more intently at them. With the uncertainty of a preschooler, I wondered whether I really understood the word I have read and spoken; was my comprehension of the meaning of contempt adequate for me to correctly interpret the meaning of this verse? So I researched the definition and this is what I found:
- (from wikipedia.org) intense feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something inferior, base, or worthless
- (from merriam-webster.com) despising; lack of respect or reverence; willful disobedience to or open disrespect for a court, judge, or legislative body (or toward God - my comment)
Am I guilty of lack of respect or reverence for God? of willful disobedience or open respect for God? What does my response to life's circumstances reflect to the world around me? And back to myself? What aspects of my journey through life do I regard as inferior to my dreams and desires? Do I fully trust God and thus embrace every circumstance in my life? Or do I whine to Him about the way I think my life should be?
Have mercy on me O LORD, have mercy on me! For I am exceedingly filled with contempt!
