Hanging up our harp

Philosophy View of Hanging Our Harps

• The practice of hanging condemned people as a form of capital punishment.

• A decorative piece of fabric or curtain hung on the wall of a room or around a bed.

• Remain static in the air.

Philosophy View of Hanging Our Harps

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father 2nd Samuel 17:23 KJV.

The children of Israel were captives in the land of Babylon. They had been carried into a situation they would never have chosen for themselves. The Babylonians had swept through their country, conquered the people, burned Jerusalem, torn down the holy Temple, and took captives.

The captives sat down, wept by the rivers of Babylon, and hung their harps on the willow trees. Harpless harpists make a sad picture! The problem was aggravated by the Babylonians tormenting the children of Israel. Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem.

From there, our captors asked us for songs; our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” Psalm 137:3 NIV

According to David’s quote in Psalm 137:4, the people suddenly reply, “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?”

How can we sing the songs of the LORD? While in a foreign land?

Psalm 137:4 NIV

Somehow unbelievers expect those who claim a relationship with the Music Maker to make music at all times, even when they are in a foreign land.

Maybe you know how the children of Israel must ave felt. Did your husband become an alcoholic after you got married? Have you had to move again and again to “foreign” places, away from friends and familiar things? Are you “captive” in a demanding position of your own? Have you hung up your harp?

I can remember moving from Jamaica to England; as far as I was concerned, I am a British girl, and I could see a little to sing about in my new surroundings. I hung up my harp. But Jesus came along, reached up, and took me down again. These people need to hear my music, he said quietly, giving me back my instrument, you don't hang up without harp permission, and I haven't permitted you.

When the Israelites sat by the waters of Babylon and their enemies demanded songs from them, the world without Christ needed to hear the Lord’s music through our lives, whatever our circumstances. Have you hung up your harp? Let Jesus get it down and tune it for you. James 1 reminded us that we should remain faithful to Christ Jesus, no matter what circumstances we face; let us trust in the Lord and watch Him move in our lives.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 ESV

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