A Heart Cry for Something Better
Psalm 137 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! 7 Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!” 8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! 9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock! Psalm 137 was written during one of the saddest times in Judah’s history. Jerusalem was highjacked and many of the leading citizens were taken captive in Babylon. This Psalm was composed with great passion. The unnamed writer believed that there was a new beginning in the future for Jerusalem. So, this psalm became a revival hymn for the captives. This was a heart cry for something better. Singing this over and over again kept their freedom on their minds and hearts as they were living out their captivity. I don’t know why I thought to write about this Psalm today. Maybe it is because I just returned from a 3 night and 4 day get-away. I had the privilege of being with third and fourth graders as a counselor. No, I didn’t feel like I was a captive. It was tiring but it was fun and rewarding. I came away with a new appreciation for our parents. Imagine trying to settle 10 boys down at night to go to sleep. One can be a challenge, but 10… Overall, we had a great time. I got to know some of our kids a little better. We have some great kids at our church. I believe we will have over 45 go to children and youth camps this summer from our church. What a great investment that will be remembered the rest of their lives. One of the things the Lord brought to my heart were the children who are having a little reprieve from the chaos happening in their life. These kids had a taste of heaven for just a few days. Ok, maybe it’s not fair to compare it to heaven but for some it may be. There was one particular little guy who was in the foster care system. I don’t know his whole story but from what I gathered; he has been moving from home to home. Of the 92 children there that week for Middler Camp, who knows the percentage of children that are in toxic situations or in environments that will not promote godliness and holiness. We are called as believers to look for opportunities to pour into this generation and make a difference by showing love and acceptance to them. The same kind of love Jesus freely gave us on the cross. I tried to encourage and challenge these kids one at a time to trust the Lord and live up to the life God so desperately wants us to live. Life may not always bring good things, but God will always provide ways to remind us of His protection and provision in all situations. He gave up His life so that we could live a new life in His name. Revival begins with a discontent of our present situation. People who are satisfied with life as it is typically aren’t interested in the possibility of a new beginning. I prayed for the kids in my cabin to not settle for mediocrity but to go all in with Christ. I remember one night not being able to sleep for some reason and I just spent the time praying for all the boys in my cabin. I had such a good time with these boys, I think I will try to do it again next year. Does anyone want to join me? Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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