Many times do I think on God and get carried away like a cloud, while basking in His glorious presence. It is amazing just to be there, with the Lord in prayer, and have His peace flood into my soul. I know there have been times when you have been caught up gazing at something for so long before somebody has gotten your attention and said, “are you listening to a word that I am saying.” We all have times when we think on something and our thoughts take us places we never thought were there before. We start pondering on something and we get lost in the moment. It takes us by surprise but it is great while it lasts. Know that these experiences are greater when our attention is on God. It is more than good but marvelous indeed. David had these types of experiences. In one of his accounts, he said, 1“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” Him and his friend were held in captivity but still could not help themselves from thinking about God. They sat down and were carried away in their thoughts of being with the Lord in Zion. This type of experience can happen, if we allow the Lord to come into our lives. Have a prayer in your heart and do more than just pray but think on Him. Remember the Lord in all things.
What happened next to David was very interesting. After they were caught up with God and remembered Zion, they hung up their harps on a willow tree. However, those that had them brought them to this place required of them to play and sing a song. They said, 1“sing us one of the songs of Zion.” David and his friend’s response was, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” I can just imagine how this went down. I am sure the people demanded of them to sing and to play as they knew of their musical talents. However, even the most musical person would feel awkward if they were forced to do something. Among all of this, David took heart and said, 1“Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem.” He could have said, “woe is me”, for being held there without consent, however, He remembered God and asked for Him to remember him in that difficult moment. It was the Babylonians that had him captive and to them, he said, 1“O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.” Because of their wickedness, they were now in the hands of God to be judged. We can learn from David that times can be difficult but also oh so good with the Lord by our side.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I trust in You. Even when times are difficult, it is You that bring peace to my soul. I can be put into a very difficult situation but when I remember Your goodness, You always prepare a way. Nothing is too difficult for You to handle. I am so grateful to have You in my life. Often times, I get caught up into thinking of You. I just love to bask in Your goodness and grace. It is a joy to think of You and Your glorious plan for my life. I am so grateful for the cross. Thank You for paying the price for my sins. You have given me hope, oh Lord. Your gospel of grace is what keeps me going strong. My strength is in the Lord, my God. You deliver me into green pastures. I am so loved. Thank You Jesus. I praise Your holy Name. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Psalm 137 (KJV)
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 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.
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.