A SONG OF VICTORY

We have a tender, loving Father who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. Even Jesus wept in His trying hour. He knows our pain firsthand and He has sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us and speak hope and peace to our souls.

Interestingly, the world observes us as we face challenges, and expects us to sing a song in the midst of our hardest times. We see an example of this in the Word.

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’” (Psalm 137:1-4).

This psalm describes Israel’s captivity by the Babylonians, when God’s people had lost everything, including their homeland. Still, their captors wanted to hear the songs of victory that the Israelites were famous for. “Sing to us! We have heard about the great victory songs you offer to God so play them for us!” I don’t believe this demand was made in mockery alone; the Babylonians sincerely longed to hear a testimony. Their own religion had left them empty, dry and hopeless.

Likewise, today the world demands a song of victory from God’s people. What they really want to know is, “How are you going to react in this present crisis? We’ve heard that you think your God is faithful and powerful. So do you trust Him in times like these? Were your songs of deliverance in good times like a child’s fantasy? Or does your faith really hold up when hard times come?”

Our society is desperate to find hope and peace in these troubles days. They long to know the truth of Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” And they will look to God’s children for a testimony.