I love podcasts, and one of my favorites is Love Worth Finding. Last weekend, I listened to a message on having lasting joy. In this, Pastor Rogers shared how joy is one of the most attractive qualities in a Christian because it proves that what we have in Christ is genuine and satisfying.
He said: “To rejoice is a choice; it is not automatic. Do you have joy that is steadfast in sorrow, triumphant in tribulation, and lasting in losses?”
It made me think about when the people of God were captives in Babylon. They were in bondage in a strange land. They were far from home. It was discouraging. It looked hopeless.
“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.” (Psalm 137:1-2)
In their sorrow, their oppressors asked them to sing the songs of Zion. They said, “How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?” I have often pondered their response. I think the songwriter penned it so beautifully when they wrote this.
But I’ve still got a song
Tho’ the enemy rages
I’ve still got a song
Tho’ I’m battered and torn
Deep in my heart, there’s a joy that stays
My trials can’t take my song away
Tho’ the battle’s been long
My faith is made strong
And I’ve still got a song
I want to reflect on my responses when trials knock at my door. I want to have a song and still have joy when everything around me is seemingly hopeless. Nothing can take away the joy that I find in Christ.
Be encouraged.
Erin
