“By the rivers of Babylon, There we [captives] sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion [the city God imprinted on our hearts]. On the willow trees in the midst of Babylon We hung our harps. For there they who took us captive demanded of us a song with words, And our tormentors [who made a mockery of us demanded] amusement, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the LORD’S song In a strange and foreign land?”
Psalms 137:1-4 AMP
During the daytime, we are often so busy that some of our worries, some of our pain, is briefly forgotten for lack of the mental/emotional “bandwidth” for it.
However, for many people, when night comes, when quietness falls, all of their worries, all of their concerns, catch up to them. Sleepless nights, or fitful sleep, result because of the loudness of their trouble.
Sadly, sometimes night falls in the middle of the day. Truly, when great trouble strikes, when a crisis stops you where you stand, even though the sun may be shining bright, it’s midnight in your soul.
Such seems to be the case for the psalmist inspired to write the following:
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.”
Psalms 42:5-8 NLT
In the midst of some kind of soul-wrenching trouble, the psalmist makes it through the night by singing songs of God’s greatness and goodness.
In our opening scripture, we find some poignant words describing the grief of being under the judgment of God.
Indeed, the children of Israel found themselves in exile because of their disobedience and rebellion to God. Now they find themselves being asked to render a song of Zion, their captor’s way of mocking their pathetic state.
Friend, have you hung up your harp? Has trouble taken your song away?
Let’s consider: Has your trouble changed the fact that God is worthy to be praised? Has your trouble erased the goodness you have experienced from His hand?
Let me encourage you by reminding you that God is the One who gives us a song in the night. We access that song by remembering His goodness, His faithfulness, His love, His care, and His keeping, even when we are experiencing a dark night of trouble.
Indeed, we are taught to praise the Lord in all situations. You see, God is always God. So, no matter what we are going through, He is still worthy of our praise.
“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”
Hebrews 13:15 NLT
We must remember that our joy cannot, must not, be contingent upon our circumstances. Rather, our reason to be joyful must be based on the goodness and greatness of our God and King!
Let’s repent for allowing our circumstances to rob us, to make us forget, our reason to sing.
Let’s no longer wait. Let’s pick up our harps and sing until our dark night flees as the day dawns!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
Intimidation is a real thing. I’m not sure there is anyone who could say that they have never felt intimidated. It’s generally just a matter of the degree to which we feel that intimidation, as well as the type of challenges or situations that make a particular person vulnerable to being intimidated.
Intimidation—through bullying or extortion tactics—keeps a person from doing what they would ordinarily do if that pressure were not present.
Intimidation can leave its victim feeling weak, ashamed, helpless, and yes, angry. Now this anger may be expressed by turning it inward (depression), explosive outbursts, or even panic. Even worse, intimidation can cause us to dishonor the Lord.
David had real cause for fear and intimidation. But instead of cowering from his enemies, he brought his case before the Lord.
“I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.”
Psalms 31:13-16, 19-20 NLT
Just as Paul tells Timothy in our opening scripture, the Spirit the Lord has given us—His very own Holy Spirit—is not subject to intimidation (fear).
With God’s help, we will always be able to do what is right, never allowing intimidation to cause us to shrink back from obedience to the Lord.
Let’s ask the Lord to forgive us for the times when we have allowed intimidation to keep us from doing what we know we should do.
Going forward, let’s lean more completely on the power of the Holy Spirit Who can keep us out of the intimidation trap.
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”
Proverbs 29:25 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 AMP
Many years ago, I sat across the desk from an older lady who was very distressed. In explaining her distress to me, she made a statement I had never heard before (nor have I since). She explained, “I have so much advice to give and nobody wants to take it.” Needless to say, I was dumbfounded.
Understand, I wasn’t surprised to hear that she felt that way; I knew how she dealt with family and friends. The source of my surprise was that she was self-aware enough to know that she wanted to mind everybody’s business. Yet, she wasn’t aware that it was wrong to want to mind everybody’s business. As well, she seemed to be oblivious of the connection between the hurtful statements she had a habit of saying, and the fact that nobody wanted to hear what she had to say. Indeed, nobody wanted that kind of “advice.”
Ironically, this woman was, herself, very strong-willed and was not open to advice from anyone.
Now, we may not think of ourselves as being that extreme in terms of wanting everyone to lead their lives according to our instruction. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that we aren’t preoccupied with what others are doing.
Truth be told, we may seldom voice any advice to anyone. But, we may have an inner commentary, constantly reflecting on the ways in which we would be doing this or that differently, than those around us: family, friends, yes, even strangers.
As well, even if our thoughts are not specifically about what we would do differently from others, dwelling on other people’s lives in any way, is toxic.
Of course, we are not referencing here discipleship relationships where godly counsel and instruction are necessary elements. I think we all know the difference between that, and being nosy and hypercritical concerning what others are doing.
As we hear in our opening scripture, we should focus on our own ways of being and doing that may not be pleasing to the Lord. Yes, we best keep our eyes on our own business, not neglecting the areas in which the Lord wants to continue to grow us up, mature us, or change us.
Given, it is tempting to dwell on the, “if I were they” scenarios, but it’s not pleasing to the Lord, and it’s not good for us.
Let’s ask the Lord to forgive us for being—in any way—a busybody. As well, let’s ask Him to help us to do what is actually helpful to others: praying for them, and, when the opportunity arises, offering them the Word as a source of encouragement and direction. After all, that nose was meant to smell the roses, not to sniff the Joneses.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!