‘By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.” (Psalm 137v1&2)
What a picture of isolation and longing as we read here how the people of God find themselves sitting beside the rivers of a strange land (Babylon) with much time to reflect on why and how their God had allowed them to be in this situation.
Many understood that it was through their disobedience to God and a neglect of His ways that they ended up here!
Staring into the flowing waters and watching their reflections with tears falling as they thought about the way it used to be when they were in the comfort, security and familiarity of Jerusalem their home their hearts longed for things to be back to the way it used to be. And discouragement had set in!
Oh dear ones let us beware of the subtle tool Satan uses of discouragement!
God’s people had become so sad and in despair that the song that they had in their hearts had been silenced. Their voices which once sounded with melody and praise unto their God were now silent and their harps hung up on the branches of the willow trees.
Church we can find ourselves in a similar condition if we are not watchful where the circumstances we are currently in can overwhelm us to where we long for being back to the way it used to be, and we forget that God is still on the throne and His love and care for us never fails!
Let us not be looking at what brings discouragement and fear, but that our prayer may be “O Jesus increase our faith!” “Show me what you want me to learn through all of this.”
So that we like the Psalmist can say “Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God!” (Psalm 42v11)
Pastor Yandall
