Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Psalm 137:1

"By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion" Psalm 137:1.


It was a sad time for Israel. The unbelievable had happened. The once great kingdom of David and Solomon laid in ruins -- her people, those who were left alive, had been transported to nations far away. The best and brightest and healthiest and strongest were now in Babylon. They were inconsolably saddened by the turn of events that lead to their demise. Sure, they had been warned by the prophets, but they were thought of as nothing but a bunch of religious fanatics and kooks. But they had been true spokesmen for God. Now they were paying for their frivolities.


Their captives -- ever desiring something "new" -- demanded they play the songs from the Israeli homeland, the happy songs, the joyous songs, not the dirges the Jews wanted to play. But their hearts were not in it. How could they do the "happy" songs when their hearts were heavy with defeat and disbelief. Besides, they were homesick for a land they would most likely never see again! The next verse says the hung their harps in the willow trees. They refused to play.


To be honest, I long for the old days myself. I long for the days when Moms were home when the kids got home from school. I remember a time when drugs were bought from the druggist not the corner "pusher." I weep for a time, long lost, when the moral standard was high and the teen pregnancy rate was just barely above zero. Yes, I long for the days of the '50s, '60s and early '70s. Those were days when you didn't have to lock the doors to your house and car. Those were the times when you could walk the streets at midnight and not worry about being mugged. Those were indeed the "good old days". And, yes, they were better times.


What happened? Where did we go wrong? More importantly, how can we return? Yes, we were warned by the modern prophets. They shouted that we should not allow abortions to enter the main streets of our communities. Certainly, they informed, cajoled, pleaded, bargained, and warned us that if we continued to turn our backs on God that He would eventually turn His back on us. If it could happen to Israel, God's chosen nation filled with His chosen people, it could happen to each and every nation and race.


Indeed, there is an answer. And that answer is unpopular! We, as the people of God, must return to the roots our forefathers planted. We must return to the Judeo-Christian foundation. We must return to a saving faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! That is our only hope to prevent the same thing that happened to Israel from happening to us!


Do you weep with me? Do you long for something that we had and lost and long to have again? Then pray that God will save all the nations -- no, pray that God will save all human beings again! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

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