“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abounding in goodness and truth” - Exodus 34:6 (NIV)
There is a famous hit song you may have heard by an old famous pop group, Bonney M, that goes like this, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat. Yeah we wept when we remembered Zion.”
That song is acutely drawn with those very words from Psalm 137:1.
The journey of the Israelis was harsh as they trudged from the land of oppression to the promised land. It took far longer than imagined, mostly a result of rebelliousness which brought on them the wrath of God. But then the same journey had also some good moments. Like the times of the fall of manna and quail from the heavens which the children of God feasted upon. “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 16:12).
Perhaps as a result of all this, in remembrance, came up Psalm 137:1. In the following Psalm King David would write, “I give you thanks with all my heart...I bow down toward your holy name” (Psalm 138: 1-2).
May we never cease to remember the goodness of the Lord that has led us this far!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham in heaven, I stand thankful of your goodness which has led me this far!
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
