July 12, 2011

Psalm 137 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 9:10-17, 1 Thessalonians 1, 1 Chronicles 23-24

Journal Entry

Scripture

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? (vs 1 & 4)

Observation

This psalm describes the conditions of Israelite's captivity's to Babylon. Sitting at the river bank of Babylon, they remembered the glory of Zion & Jerusalem, their homeland, and what it represents, and they wept. They could not sing in sorrows. There was no joy to sing or praise. Rather in their heart, they meditated the revenge -- the destruction of Babylon, in a very cruel description of even wanting to see little ones being dashed against the rock (vs 7-9).
However, against what they were saying -- "We can't sing!" -- they were singing this psalm of sorrow, laments for Jerusalem, and their prayer of God's revenge to their enemies. The very refusal of singing has become worship and singing itself to the Lord. And that was alright and received by the Lord.

Application

This psalm reminds me that how easily I have my own box of who God is and how I am to approach God. Often putting God and my faith in Him in a certain box and interact with Him in only that way. Especially when there is sorrow and dispairs, when there is anger and injustice, when I am faced with a thought of revenge and bitterness, God wants to hear me as I am, not in a pretense or in a certain way. Refusal to sing a song to the Lord itself is a song unto Him and He is big enough to receive it and respond to it. Let me not limit God or box Him in a certain way. Let me be who I am and come before Him as the way I am each moment, today.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for who you are, that there is no limit to you. Thank you for this example of intimacy with you thru this psalm. You are able to hear and handle, and respond to me where I am. I don't need to be somebody else or in a certain condition -- esp. proper in my mind -- when I come to You. Help me to be real with you each day. Help me to break the boxes I frame you over and over again.
Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen

--yanahn