Scripture

Psalm 123:3-4 NRSV

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Consider

Who has not experienced the scorn of an arrogant person or the ridicule of someone trying to elevate himself at your expense? When have you suffered an insult in silence because you did not want to lose your job or engage in a conflict you knew you could not win?

We live in a world of sin. Sin makes people selfish, and selfishness invariably leads to hurtful behaviors and damaged relationships. The psalmist’s plea for mercy asks God to ease the burden of oppression from the proud and those in authority who abuse their power. Although he asks for mercy, he does not ask God for deliverance. He asks God to bring peace in the midst of what may be an inescapable situation.

As we offer this prayer along with the psalmist, we can also ask God to be merciful to us as the oppressors. We can ask forgiveness for all the times we have treated others scornfully and arrogantly. We can repent and ask for mercy in the form of God’s wisdom and correction, surrendering each selfish habit to be replaced with compassion and humility.

What might these new habits look like when we find ourselves in conflict with another person? Here are some examples:

• I won’t make it personal. I can challenge ideas and opinions but not the dignity of the other person.
• I won’t equate opinion with intelligence. Just because we think differently does not mean one person is smarter than the other.
• I must never put the other person down to elevate myself. Every person has the right to disagree with me.
• I won’t label others with derogative adjectives or stereotypes. Labeling dehumanizes and devalues people.
• I won’t let my self-esteem get mixed up with winning the argument. Shaming has no place in the exchange.
• I will never return hurt for hurt or evil for evil, ever. If the relationship becomes intolerable, I will ask God for peace and strength to endure, if not deliverance.
  God’s mercy protects and corrects us.

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Pray

Heavenly Father, I need your mercy as often and as urgently as I need oxygen. Have mercy on me, O Lord, that I might endure injuries from others as Jesus did, without the need to retaliate or leave the godly path you have laid out for me. Have mercy on me also that I might repent of my sinful oppression of others and learn more loving and respectful habits of engagement.

Reflect

Psalm 73:1-3; Jeremiah 10:23-24

Ponder

When someone insults me, what is my habitual reaction? How can I honor God and the other person with my response?