Devotionals for the Heart: What a Bible story about a harp taught me

Lessons from a Harp
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“There on the poplars we hung our harps.”

—Psalm 137:2 (NIV)

This verse in the anchor text above gives us such vivid imagery to the point where we can feel the weight of Israel's depression.

In verse Psalm 137:1 we are told that they would sit by the rivers of Babylon and remember Zion. Why were they in Babylon to begin with and not in Jerusalem that was known as God's holy city and was their home? It was due to disobedience.

God spelled out quite clearly in His Law, reminding them again in Deuteronomy 28 about blessings and curses, and encouraged them to choose life. God sent prophet after prophet with dire warnings for His people. But to no avail.

Recently, I read Deuteronomy 28, 2 Kings 23-25 as well as Jeremiah 25 in preparation to teach an overview for a Bible study on the book of Daniel. It was within these scriptures that I saw many reminders of God's mercy, grace, judgment, anger and mankind’s struggles with sin.

But I also saw that these scriptures speak well of God's love because what other god would give the standard as well as the solution? What other god would care to warn or make a way to righteousness? No other god!

God is a loving Heavenly Father who disciplines His children when they disobey to course correct their path from destruction and save their souls—just like we who are parents do with our own children. Did you catch that? We are His own children! God’s children. He made us, claims us, and bought us with a price—His own Son (Jesus Christ) died so we could have the right to be in God's family. Read more about that true story in John 3:16-17. This is quite remarkable to me!

Are we in a place of exile at the moment, remembering where we once had a sweet relationship with God but now we are hanging our harps on a poplar tree? Do we feel isolated from others? Are we experiencing a season of affliction? Are we here because of disobedience? If we are then what's the solution? Repentance.

Are we in exile because God has us here for a time of teaching and testing our faith? Just writing these words makes me nervous because of my very recent long-term affliction and exile season that lasted for five years before God healed me.

But guess what? God can use us in exile! Read the Bible stories about Queen Esther and Daniel in the lions’ den for prime examples of this truth. We are strangers in this land, exiles on Earth (1 Peter 2:11) while we wait for Jesus Christ to return and take us home in Heaven.

Therefore, instead of hanging our harps, let’s play them! Let’s seek how to honor Christ even in the exile, even in the affliction, even in the moments of waiting. This is not easy, but it is sanctified by God because of His sovereignty, He knows and acts according to His will for our good and His glory. God orchestrates our lives to give us opportunities to grow, draw close to Him and to choose Him, as well. He desires us to see these times of affliction and exile as training grounds not only for the ‘now’ but for the future.

I am here with you. And with God all things are possible.

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

Here I am, in exile, in affliction and I am sad because I remember what used to be. Life was different then. Maybe better. Maybe not. But honestly, I am longing for the familiar—even if it was in Egypt (so to speak). However, You are calling me to play my harp with remembrance and thanksgiving. To play with joy because You are with me. You use seasons of affliction, exile, deserts, mountain tops to grow us, challenge us, convict us and get us on the track You want us on. May I repent, accept and step out in faith, knowing You are with me. I want to play a new song on my harp—a song for You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Even in EXILE” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog