“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” (Psalm 137:1-3)

Did you go to sleep weeping? The Lord says ‘Get up!’ Did you awake with thoughts of sadness? The Lord says ‘Get up!’ Did you have a rough week and the prospects of a new week appear gloomy? The Lord says ‘Get up!’ Lamentations 3:22-24 reassures us: “The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so in Him I put my hope.” God speaks His living words to us as He did towards Elijah the prophet (1 Kings 19). “Get up and eat, or the trip will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7).

Get up and eat again. God does not want the journey to be too much and too long to bear. Get up and plan again. Get up and try again. Let’s not sit down and weep as we remember Zion, but arise and sing Zion’s praises! So, let’s not turn down God’s encouragement as Elijah did, but pick ourselves up and our instruments of His praise (Hebrews 13:15). “Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain… I will still be joyful and glad, because the LORD God is my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains” (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Amen.

#goodmorning

BeEncouraged❤ Freely Received. Freely Give