Psalm
137:1-6 In
a Foreign Land
By the rivers
of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there
we hung up our harps.
For there our captors
asked us for songs,
and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there
we hung up our harps.
For there our captors
asked us for songs,
and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’
How could we
sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy.
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy.
****
When I read this psalm it really hit
home. It brought to my attention the immigrants that are seeking asylum in a
foreign land which is America.
They are escaping the threat of
horrific conditions, poverty, gang murders and drug cartels. They want a better
life than what they are experiencing now. Hopeful that America will give them
that chance, they are willing to risk everything to give their children a
better life. Even if it means being held in disgraceful conditions at a
detention center on the borders of Mexico in the hope it will only be
temporary. Their captors torment them and ridicule them, and they still sing
praises to the Lord and hold onto their faith.
Prayer:
Dear and
wonderful protector, counselor and Lord of all. Protect and comfort those who
are seeking a better life in a foreign land. Give them peace and hope to get
through these most difficult times. In your name, O Lord. Amen
Joanne Halbekath is a member of
Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, NY
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