Saturday January 13th, 2024
« But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land? »
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 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.
7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, Who said, “Raze it, raze it, To its very foundation!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes Your little ones against the rock!
Understand
You cannot win the battle of life, especially spiritual one, if you do not know who you are in the Lord.
One great thing about the children of Israel is that to date, they are still identified as God’s own people.
Many people who have fallen into sin have written themselves off, even when God is waiting to receive them with excitement, like the father of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.
Beloved, as long as you are born again, you must always be conscious of your position in the Lord. 1 John 3:1CEV says
« Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that He lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are »
When the children of Israel were taken into captivity at Babylon, their captors wanted to mock them by asking them to sing of the goodness of their God, even as they were in distress.
The children of Israel knew the motive of the Babylonians and thus, declined to sing.
This humbled their captors in a way, because the children of Israel did not cheapen their songs of praise before the Babylonians, who could have corrupted the songs.
Sadly, many gospel songs have now been corrupted by circular artistes, and many ‘believers’ are responsible for this prevalent culture.
This is why some unbelievers can naively argue that there is indeed no gospel music.
They cannot be farther from the truth.
There is music that contains the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and this should be what God’s children listen to.
Rather than sing song of praise in Babylon, the Israelites sang of God’s vengeance (Psalm 137:8-9).
If it appears that the enemy is gaining the upper hand in your life, you must know that it is not over until God says it is over.
Perhaps you are being afflicted by the enemy because of sin in your life; turn to Jesus today, He is our advocate with the Father and has paid for our sin (1 John 2:1-2).
Never lose faith in God’s mercy; do not take Him for granted by remaining in sin and thinking grace would abound.
May you never suffer losses again, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Prayer focus – Father, please help me not to lose my confidence in You. Help me Lord, not to take Your grace for granted, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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