SINGING THE LORD'S SONG IN A STRANGE LAND

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" (Psa 137:4)

The Babylonian captivity was one of great sorrow for sensitive Israelites. It was brought about because Israel lived without an acute awareness of their Lord. In particular, because they did not leave the land idle during every seventh year, as the Lord commanded (Lev 25:4-6). Israel went 490 consecutive years without honoring this command, robbing the land of 70 Sabbath years. According to what He had promised, the Lord took all 70 Sabbaths at one time–back to back (Lev 26:34). The Babylonian captivity was that time--a captivity lasting 70 years (2 Chron 36:21). In that captivity, Israel ceased to be a singing people. The lament of their hearts is recorded in the 137th Psalm. Remembering the former days, the captive people hung their harps on the willow trees, and sang no more. Even when asked by their captors to sing "one of the songs of Zion," they replied, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?" (NKJV). An arresting question, indeed!

There are at least two ways we can profit from this text. FIRST, when we have disobeyed the Lord, and are chastened for it, joyous songs flee from us like a wounded dove. In that time, the sensitive plead, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation" (Psa 51:12). Under the faithful and effective correction of the Lord, we acknowledge "no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful" (Heb 12:11). During such occasions, they do us no favor who tell us to be happy and smile. Such people tempt us to ignore the fact God is dealing with us–seeking our hearts.

SECOND, there IS a sense in which we CAN sing the Lord's song in a strange land. When the land is "strange" because of our faith, and NOT because of our sin, we CAN sing! Faith has constituted us "strangers" in the world. We do not fit into it. Its manner of thinking is foreign to us. We reject its values, and cannot blend with its ways. Even though there is an element of discomfort related to this circumstance, we can still sing "the Lord's song."

Note, it is the "Lord's SONG," not songs. It is the song of salvation–the "song of Moses and the Lamb" (Rev 15:3). It can be sung from a jail cell, when our feet are "fastened in the stocks" (Acts 16:24-25). Throughout the world, there are countless believers who are cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart, even under extremely oppressive circumstances. Over and above their cries of sorrow, they can be heard singing "the Lord's song"–singing in thankfulness for salvation and in anticipation of their glory.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus, I thank You for giving me a new song!

-- MONDAY: THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST --