Today’s Scripture: Psalm 137 & John 1:14

The psalmist wrote this psalm while exiled in Babylonia, which is southern Iraq today. During this time in history it was a common practice for a nation that had been defeated by their enemies to be taken into captivity and relocated to another nation. The reason was to encourage the captives to intermarry and thus lose their native national pride and identity.

They marched off to a place they did not want to go; leaving behind most of their possession and their family members that were either too weak or too old to make the trip, And while they walked into this new land, they were being told to sing, play their harps and sound joyful. They were to act like they were happy about this new home. Imagine that!

There are several observations I made that we can take to heart in this psalm.

1.) God is a just and righteous God.

The people knew God had proclaimed since the time of Moses that if H``is people abandoned Him, He would drive them out of the land. Judah’s fate was sealed when one of her kings filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, including that of his own sons, whom he burned as a sacrifice to the god Molech (2 Kings 24:3-4; 2 Chronicles 33:6). We can't sin against God and expect Him to simply overlook our sin and allow us to go unpunished. 

2.) Oftentimes the innocent must endure the same consequences as the guilty.

I'm certain not all of Judah was guilty of these sinful acts, but all suffered the same fate. While we may be forced to allow many sinful practices to go on in our land, we do not have to condone them or support them. We can put our trust in God and trust - He is in control.

3.)The Psalmist put his trust in God. 

I love that no matter where he was, he would continue to trust God and let God live in him. We all live in a wicked world with all kinds of difficulties but God is still with us to help us remain faithful to him. 

4.) It is perfectly okay to take our thoughts/ feelings to Jesus when going through difficult times.

Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. (137: 8-9)

WHOA! That seems a bit harsh, until you realize Psalm 137:8-9 does not ask God for Babylon’s doom, but rather assumes it. Why? Because the true prophets said Babylon would exile the Jews for 70 years, after which God would send the Persians (Medes) against Babylon and the Jews would return home. The prophet Isaiah said this would happen to Babylon: “Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes” (Isaiah 13:16). The psalmist isn’t making up a gruesome punishment. He demonstrates faith that what Isaiah and the other prophets foretold was going to happen. Babylon would fall and the exiles would return to the land.

So, let me ask you...

_ How do you normally handle difficult times? Especially when you are innocent? 

_ Is your first thought to take it all to Jesus?

_ Does your faith remain strong and growing stronger, or is it often shaken where you're tempted to give up on God altogether?

Let's Pray:

O Father, You remind us over and over in Your Word that You are always with us. You tell us not to fear and You draw us close to Your Presence. You’re the only place we find refuge in the storms that surround us at times, Lord. You’re the only place we can find peace and strength. So we ask You that Your words of truth and power would strengthen us in our inner being and bring life to our hearts continually. Thank you for your goodness and faithfulness to us. Thank you that you know the way we take and you have a plan and can be trusted. Amen.

Blessings,

Sue