The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 137:4-6,
"How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy."
The psalmist recalls his homeland and pleads within himself to not forget Jerusalem while captive in a foreign land. His longing and desire for his home is clearly on display as a passion that possesses him. It is difficult to not feel a compassion for his feelings of isolation from the home he misses so much. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion." Verse 1.
What the psalmist expresses in this psalm reminds me of another passage where the desire to be home dominated the feelings of hearts that truly looked and hoped for fulfillment with a passion that is clearly expressed. "Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." These are the heroes of faith that longed for home, not here, but a better home that God prepares for those who embrace him in faith.
The apostle Paul tells us, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling..." 2 Corinthians 5:1-2. Here Paul speaks of how much better it is to be away from these bodies we currently inhabit to be home with the Lord, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8.
"How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy."
The psalmist recalls his homeland and pleads within himself to not forget Jerusalem while captive in a foreign land. His longing and desire for his home is clearly on display as a passion that possesses him. It is difficult to not feel a compassion for his feelings of isolation from the home he misses so much. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion." Verse 1.
What the psalmist expresses in this psalm reminds me of another passage where the desire to be home dominated the feelings of hearts that truly looked and hoped for fulfillment with a passion that is clearly expressed. "Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." These are the heroes of faith that longed for home, not here, but a better home that God prepares for those who embrace him in faith.
The apostle Paul tells us, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling..." 2 Corinthians 5:1-2. Here Paul speaks of how much better it is to be away from these bodies we currently inhabit to be home with the Lord, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8.
I am certain I love my home and family as much as anyone does theirs. I am also certain that I would miss it and them as much as the psalmist did his were I separated from them. And, as I think about that, I can't help but think how wonderful the home is that those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith are all destined for!
I cannot think of a more appropriate passion!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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