Psalm 137: 1- 4
I was reminded of this verse while reading this week. It reminded me of the many struggles, burdens, and doubts we often face daily as God’s people in this sin-cursed world. We truly are strangers in this place, and the closer we draw to Christ, the stranger the world becomes, and the more endearing heaven is. What a pleasant and sweet reality that we have as children of God.
The Jews were in a strange land – Babylon – so aside from a different scenery, they were experiencing much worse morally, socially, and spiritually in this strange land. Indeed, they were used to having things a certain way, and that has all changed. They could not sing in this strange land. They had hung up their harps, or to put it another way, they had thrown in the towel. There was no fight left in them; discouragement, isolation, and sadness had taken their toll.
Songs of praise and joy had been replaced by tears.
Reflecting on this text, I think of Christ’s church, called, empowered, and sent out into our own Babylon. Sure, there are many reasons for discouragement, but we are Christ’s servants sent into this world to bring glad tidings of joy and peace. Unbelievers abide in darkness and have no song of hope. They don’t understand what it means to be truly pardoned, to be actively in the presence of God, and to have a heavenly view of the Celestial City (Pilgrim’s Progress). We have every reason to keep singing the question is how?
“Singing is an expression of our innermost feelings and cries to God, and sometimes, we may find ourselves in a place where singing seems impossible. Yet, it is in those moments that God calls us to rise above our circumstances and offer our hurts and hopes, because even in exile, He is still our home.” – Pastor John Piper
“He is still our home.” Truer words couldn’t have been spoken for the child of God. If Christ ceases to be the Christians rock, his home, his fortress, then Babylon will fill that void
“He is still our home,” therefore let’s not lose sight of Christ and his relation to us in this life.
“He is still our home” therefore we have every reason to continue to praise and adore him.
“He is still our home,” therefore, we have no reason to be discouraged.
“He is still our home,” therefore let’s not hang up our instruments of praise and worship.
“He is still our home,” let us continue to serve him, proclaiming his testimony throughout the world.
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