“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 they that carried us away 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 a song of Zion in a strange land?” (Psalm 37).
In Psalm 37, we find some history of the people of Judah after they were carried away in captivity to Babylon. The people weep because they aren’t at home anymore. They hang their harps upon the willow trees. They refuse to sing the Lord’s song in a strange land. They let the doom and gloom of the day creep into their hearts. They couldn’t even praise God. What a lesson for us believers today!
One of the many blessings we experienced in the ministry happened to us and our family a few years ago. Several times we were privileged to worship with Burmese Christians in their church in Southport, Indiana. Once we were the honored guests at one of their gatherings. The only words we understood were “Jesus,” Papa and Nunu (father and mother), which were the titles they gave to Steve and me. It was wonderful just to be there. We truly felt God’s glorious presence, just as we do in our own fellowship. I’m sure many of you have taken mission trips, and you know exactly what I’m talking about. The music speaks to us. They were the same songs we sing. There was no accompaniment, and the harmony was breathtaking. I love the old hymns, and this is one of the reasons why. They are a universal language. We don’t know the words of every language, but the melodies are the same. The Burmese Christians were singing their Lord’s song in a strange land. On one occasion, our family gathered from near and far, and in one of their worship services we sang to them. Their faces were alight with joy when they heard “their” songs coming from us.
On days when it is difficult even to read the newspaper or watch the news on television, we need to praise God, sing His songs and rejoice. It was very hard for our sisters and brothers to leave their homes, but they did it with grace. When we first knew some of them, all they had were the clothes they had on. They had left everything, including their families. Whereas the people of Judah did have the chance to go home from Babylon in 70 years, most of the Burmese Christians can’t go home because they are political refugees. For the most part, they were all young. Our adopted Burmese son, Nung Sang Mang, always says to me, “Nunu, I love America!” Most of them had never even driven a car. How we cringed for the safety of our countrymen when they did start driving! Now they are singing God’s song in their new homeland. They are happy and thriving and are all productive citizens.
Judy Malone, April 6, 2022
Thoughts From the Garden 