There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 137
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” [Psalm 137:1-3]
Singing is one way that people express their faith, hope and love.
We have a whole songbook in the bible, the book of Psalms.
Imagine how painful it is for them to be mocked with their own words.
They are now in exile, and their captors are mocking them, throwing their faith in their faces – ‘hey you slaves, sing about how God loves and protects you now!’
But they would not sing, they could not sing.
Because it was painful, but also because they would not give their captors the pleasure.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” [Matthew 27:39-43]
Jesus is also a captive, and being mocked.
‘So God loves you, so you are His son, why not show us by coming off the cross!’
The very words that Jesus spoke that expressed His own faith, hope and love, are not thrown into His face in mockery.
This is not an easy place to be, and maybe you have experienced it too.
You go to church all your life, you strive to be a faithful Jesus-follower.
And then life comes undone, tragedy occurs, and your unbelieving friends look to see how you will respond – ‘where’s your faith now?’
This is really hard, and we need to be honest about it.
The psalmist feels awful, and angry; notice what he says: Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. [Psalm 137:9]
Contrast this with how Jesus responds to His tormentors, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” [Luke 23:34]
I don’t think that what the psalmist says is right, but I am not one to judge; what would I say if I was in their shoes.
All I know is that Jesus models the right song to sing when we are being mocked.
As hard as it is, we need to keep singing the songs of faith, even when it’s hard.
As you struggle and weep, sing of His mercy, sing of His strength, sing of His purpose.
Keep singing, and like Jesus you will one day see your songs come true!
PRAYER:
Lord, I have not experienced the tragedy or misery that other people have, so I am not one to speak to this. But help me to sing Your songs, even when it is hard!
Praise the Lord.
My great grandmother would sing praises to God at the end of her life too. She would not know who family or friends were but could sing songs and remeber scripture.
God is good, God is great, God is Great all the time.
Remember.
Memory is a good thing.
Here the people sat and remembered the Lord and all what He had done for them. Their captors demanded songs but how can we be joyful in times like these, away from our home, our land, captive?
I remember my mother who no longer recognized family and friends during the last years of her life. And yet, she would hum and sing songs memorized from her childhood to drive the spirits away and we could see the smile on her face. Oh what joy regardless of the position in life. As the psalmist longed for Jerusalem so the people of the Lord God longed to be in His presence. And they were without realizing it. So was my mom. A song came from her heart because she was at peace in Him. Her Jerusalem. Her Saviour gave all she needed.
At all times I too need to be in His presence and realize that I am. The joy of the Lord God is my song and I must go forward with a song on my lips for He has made me glad. I am His and He is mine at all times.
Sing a new song to Jehovah, for the wonders He has wrought,
His right hand and arm most holy triumph to His cause have brought.
In His love and tender mercy He has made salvation known,
In the sight of every nation He His righteousness has shown.
Truth and mercy toward His people He has ever kept in mind,
And His full and free salvation He has shown to all mankind.
Sing, O earth, sing to Jehovah, praises to Jehovah sing;
With the swelling notes of music shout before the Lord, the King.
Seas and all your fullness, thunder, all earth’s peoples, now rejoice,
Floods and hills, in praise uniting, to the Lord lift up your voice.
For, behold, Jehovah cometh, robed in justice and in might;
He alone will judge the nations, and His judgment shall be right.