Choose Joyনমুনা

DAY 42: SONGS OF JOY

Reflection: Few ancient psalms have found there way into 70s disco music, but that's the case for Psalm 137. But what's the message behind these well-known words, 'By the rivers of Babylon', and how do they relate to living a strengthened life?

The words of this Psalm were written after the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon, and they recall the hopelessness and despondency felt in those days. Defeated and humiliated, the exiled people were asked by their captors to sing songs of joy. How could they sing, the psalmist recalls, when they were in a foreign land away from home?

And yet we know from Scripture that the exile was God's idea. He allowed it because of the breaking of the covenant and over-reliance of the people on outward things such as the temple, the city, and the rituals of their faith. They found themselves by the rivers of Babylon, taunted by their enemies, because they had abandoned God. He allowed them to experience the consequences of their choices.

I think we all understand that it's no fun to fake joy. In fact, as in this psalm, sometimes we need to sit with the deepness of our grief and loss to rediscover our true source of joy. We can't just sing a song of joy on demand. But we will discover in our darkest moments, God has not abandoned us.

It was in the darkness of exile, as pictured in this psalm, that God gave these remarkable words to his people: 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Rather than try and sing for joy out of duty or display, there is a true and honest source of joy for every exile, every person in a dark place, every person who feels deserted. It's that gracious gift of restoration, hope, and joy from the God who never gives up on us.

Choose joy: If there are feelings of despair or disappointment in your heart, take a moment today to examine them, and bring them into the light of God's words, 'I know the plans I have for you...'