The Slightest Signal

If our eyes are not riveted to our LORD and Master, we will miss a lot.

Direction. Favor. Mercy.

In past readings of Psalms 123:1-2, I’ve read it in the NKJV. “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 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.”

Recently, I read it in the NLT, and it hit differently.

“I lift my eyes to You, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the LORD our God for His mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.” (emphasis mine)

I had just finished reading a Francine Rivers novel that was set during the Roman Empire, when slaves were part of the culture. One of the main characters was a Christian slave girl, so it gave an incredible look into the life of slaves during this timeframe.

Masters had the power of life and death over their slaves. Good servants kept their eyes on their specific master. Only the slightest head nod, or finger lift could elicit a command for a servant to follow. Great servants learned to know the master they served so well that they could anticipate needs or see needs by body language or the look in their eyes. But if they were not looking at their master, they would miss it and not obey or know what was needed or what to do.  In this context of human masters, this could lose favor…and cost dearly.

In the context of the Bible verse, God is Master.

Isn’t it wonderful that we get to look at our heavenly Master for mercy and blessing, and not just for commands to obey! And where human masters can be fickle and incite fear, GOD has a faithful, steadfast character of LOVE.

Our eyes should be fixed on God, Master of our lives, watching closely for the slightest signal.

It could be a blessing or God wink. Those little things sprinkled in our days that make us smile. But if we are not paying attention, then we so easily miss the good and miss out on delight.

It could be discernment, direction, or wisdom. But if our eyes are looking elsewhere and our attention is on other things, then we miss it and are likely to make a wrong choice. Scripture says the LORD is in the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) saying “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

Are we too busy and distracted by all the noise and activity around us to pay attention?

Maybe we glance at our Master periodically, or watch Him sometimes, but not always; we are liable to misunderstand or miss altogether when He signals or communicates to us. This can lead us into disobedience and sin.

We cannot lose our salvation, but we sure can miss a lot of favor and mercy, in the good times and the hard times, if we are not actively, intentionally looking for it.
To keep us on the right path.
To see the connections of all the puzzle pieces that strengthen our faith.
To receive the myriad of blessings He showers down for us.

Watch. Watch intently for even the slightest signal.

May our eyes ever be riveted to our LORD and Master, our Savior King, that we will not miss a thing. May we strive to know our Master so well that His desires are planted in our hearts and become our desires that we may walk in step with the Spirit, with eyes to see even the slightest of signals.

Written By: Sarah Pittmann