Hanging Harps

     "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.  For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.  How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?" Psalm 137:1-4 
     Have you ever felt that way?  Carried away into a strange land?  I've been carried away many times.  Sometimes, we wander away, but sometimes, we're carried...by people, or jobs, or just life.
     I've remembered "Zion" and wept many times.  Of course, when I say "Zion", I mean that time in life when I was so focused on Christ, that nothing mattered any more than pleasing Him.  To say that what people thought of me didn't matter would be untrue, because I upheld beliefs and standards for man's approval, but it was with the best of intentions.  Now, I know that it's people that "require" things.  In this passage, those people are called "captors".  Pretty strong word!  You see, God gives us gifts and abilities, then longs for us to use them to glorify Himself...because He knows that we will be the ones that reap all the benefit from that worship.   ("...in thy presence is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11)  When someone places a demand or condition on a gift God has given you, they're not being godly.  They're taking.  God is not a taker!  He is the Giver of "every good and every perfect gift".
     In this passage of scripture, the Jews are refusing to sing out of respect for the Lord's song.  It is low for their captives to even suggest such a thing!  In a different context, let me say that I've wondered how I would sing the Lord's song, too.  I'm thankful that I can say that He helps us in the most difficult circumstances.  I've been moments from knowing I was scheduled to sing and asked the Lord, "How can I?"  I've sat at the piano, unable to breathe, thinking, "How can I even utter one word?"  God enables.  Anything that glorifies God or is any help whatsoever to anyone is from Him.  Never allow ability to overrule complete surrender!
     There may be a time to hang our harps "in the midst" of trouble.  But, be sure to hang them high enough to see now and then!  You see, when the world carries away, God delivers.  You may have to stretch to reach it, but don't leave your harp in Babylon.  The song is still the Lord's!