Psalm 137
Reflect
This is a challenging passage. It is hard to read this and believe God’s people advocated for infanticide. Before we jump to any conclusions, I think it is important to listen to the people described in this Psalm. Their words are filled with pain and anger. They have been defeated, their holy city destroyed, ravaged by war, and taken away from their land. Their captors, described as tormentors, ask to hear songs of the destroyed Jerusalem for entertainment. What emotion fits this moment? God is not afraid to hear the deepest and rawest emotions we have. No matter where you are or what has happened, God wants to meet you there. You don’t need to clean up, sanitize your thoughts, or pretend. This is an encouragement to bring that to God. He can handle it.
Apply
Are you holding on to any emotions that you need to let go of and give to God to deal with? This may not be anywhere close to what you are currently feeling, but let’s not forget that people exist in this world today in circumstances similar to those experienced by the ancient Israelites. People are trafficked, fleeing war, trapped in poverty, and exiled. God hears their voices; let’s make sure we do too.
Matt Barker
Pray
- Pray for the Prime Minister, Premier Kenney, Mayor Iveson, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth Ministry Pastor.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Intern.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.