2012 February 21 - Morning Manna

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? (Psalms 137:1-4)

Today's Morsel: There is a tree called the Weeping Willow. It is a tree full of small limbs and leaves. Even though its branches and limbs are always pointing downward toward the ground, they are still pretty strong. I know because I have received many spankings from those limbs and branches! The psalmist gives us a picture of Israel heading into captivity. He said, 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. Many saints today are hanging their harps on the willow. They have sat down and lost their zeal. They've lost their resolve, their determination, and their tenacity to serve God and the things of God. They no longer have a song to sing, or an instrument to play. They've shut their mouth and instrument cases. They don't see Psalm 150 as encouragement to praise God with every instrument and their voices. They've allowed the world situation to control their reverence. They've become captivated in their thinking and in their minds. They've allowed their situations and locations to affect their consecration to God. They wanted out! They wanted rest! They wanted peace! Like the weeping willow, they are sagging. Sometimes, I believe that the church forgets just how strong she really is. (See Luke 10:19;Acts 1:8; Dan 11:32.) But Micah lets us know that every saint of God should say, "But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin" (Micah 3:8). So if you are one of them who have hung their harp on the willow, or one of them who has closed their mouth from singing, get that harp off the willow and start praising God. Because, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God" (Psalms 50:23).

Sing: Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me! Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me! And to him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God.