Daily Devotional for Saturday, November 9

Judah and Its Captors

“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. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion,” Psalm 137:1-3.

The psalmist describes the discouraging scene of the children of Israel in captivity, their harps hung on willow trees and their hearts heavy with the weight of exile. The psalmist paints a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil experienced by the people of Judah as they grapple with the harsh reality of captivity.

In verse 1, the psalmist captures the essence of the people’s sorrow. The pain of being exiled and the longing for home resounds through these verses. The harp, a symbol of joy and worship, now hangs silent and unused. In the face of captivity, the people find it difficult to express their faith and praise. The willows, often associated with mourning, emphasize the darkness of their condition.

As if the pain of exile was not deep enough, their enemies demanded that they sing a song of joy about their homeland. What a brutal reminder of how ruthless Satan can be once he has imprisoned us with our sinful choices. However, the psalm takes a turn in verses 4-6 as the psalmist expressed a profound commitment to remember Jerusalem.

In these verses, we witness a resilient faith that refuses to be quenched. Despite the tears, the psalmist affirms his commitment to sing praises to God. It is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments of exile, the flame of faith can be kept alive through unwavering remembrance and devotion to God.

REMINDER
As we navigate our own seasons of difficulty and despair, let us draw inspiration from the perseverance of the psalmist. May we, like them, hold fast to our faith even when circumstances seem to silence our praise.

Steven Ridings