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Day 262 (Psalms 137:1-9) By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked us for a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the LORD’S song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!” O daughter of Babylon, you who are to be destroyed, happy is the one who repays you as you have served us! Happy is the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock! People like to remember how things were, the good times. They reflect and think about what they would do if they could get vengeance for their current situation. The psalmist is in captivity in Babylon. He is tired of their captives always wanting them to be happy and said what would make him happy—to see their captives in the same situation they put on them when they carried them from their home in Jerusalem. He laments over Jerusalem and said he would not forget her but would exalt her above his chief joy. Many Christians lament over their good times. They don’t want the trouble Satan is wont to put on them. They believed that when they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, their lives would be good—no more hardship. Jesus told His disciples that if people hated Him, they would hate them too. Their lives would not be one of luxury and pleasure in their walk in Him, but hardship as Satan brought trouble on them. (John 15:18-25) “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled, which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ Your joy is in knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord. It is joy that will cause you to sing amid your trouble. It is with joy you will play your instruments and praise God for all He did for you. Do not lament over your circumstances. Satan loves to see you hanging your head and lamenting about what was. However, he will flee when you praise God. When you begin praising God on whatever instrument you possess, even your voice, he will flee. Let’s pray: Father, let my voice come before You with praise and worship for all You did for me. When Satan harasses me, let me sing and lift my hands to You so he will flee from me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 2 April 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay