Bible Verse of the Day Wednesday March 13th, 2024

 Psalm 137:4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

The Bible tells us that, as Christians, we are strangers in a foreign land. We are not permanent residents of this world; our home is in Heaven. So we are in a strange land, among strange people. A world filled with sin, wickedness, discouragement, and more. It’s filled with places that make breaking out and enjoying a song difficult. But we can find a song of praise in the middle of a strange place. Not because the circumstances around us change but because of who controls those circumstances! Don’t forget that our God is the one in control. He has never failed. He has never left us. Though things may be difficult, keep on singing your song of praise!

Have you woken up in a strange land recently? Maybe it was in the doctor’s office, hearing the specialist give you the 2nd or the 3rd opinion that you particularly dreaded hearing. Perhaps it was in your work cubicle as you sat down, knowing that your days were numbered there, and your choices were now overwhelming. Maybe the strange land was the faraway look in your spouse’s eyes or the cutting look of hostility your child gave you as he left the house in the morning. How can someone between an old relationship ending and a new life begin to sing praise? How can someone who is facing a severe diagnosis learn to get on with their life just as it is? How can the elderly sing a new song when our society worships youth and casts a dismissive glance at the trials and experiences of older people?

We need to sing songs about the unknown things and all those things we still long for. We need to keep the memory of those things alive for each other and alive for ourselves. But what things? You may ask. We sing and speak the goodness that we struggle to see, the hope that we refuse to believe is long gone, the vision of what is possible, the kindness that does not disappoint, and the dreams that have not gone sour. We need to keep alive by our songs, prayers, stories, and symbols the love that won’t die, the friendship that doesn’t abandon, and all the moments that bear witness to the fact that pain is momentary, that the devils of this world will not win, and that human beings have not left each other to struggle alone and lacking help.