READING:
One-year plan: Psalm 137-143, 1 Corinthians 15:20-49
Two-year plan: 2 Samuel 6-7, Luke 23:6-25
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I can’t imagine what the exiles in Psalm 137 must have felt. They remembered Zion, with all its buildings, festivals, and celebrations. They knew the way the city once was, and they realized their rebellion had led to its demise. God had promised to restore them, but for now, they could only picture yesterday’s Zion – and they could not sing. All they could do was weep: “By the rivers of Babylon—there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. . . . How can we sing the Lord’s song on foreign soil?” (Psa 137:1-4).
Memories of the goodness of yesterday made them weep over the bondage of today. Sin had cost them much, and they could only wait on God to judge the Babylonians and restore them to their land. Their story is a reminder to all of us of the destructive nature of sin. It leads to exile, aloneness, and grief.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is sin costing you anything today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me to be faithful to You. Let today be a day of joyful singing.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Psalm 137-143, 1 Corinthians 15:20-49
Two-year plan: 2 Samuel 8-9, Luke 23:26-31
*Portions first published in 2018