Homesickness

Introduction:

· Homesickness: moving to college or travelling the world, or relocating to a new country

PSALM 137 IS A PSALM ABOUT HOMESICKNESS – ABOUT LEARNING TO LIVE WHERE WE ARE, WHILE LONGING FOR OUR TRUE HOME.

I) Hanging Our Harps on the Poplars of Babylon (vv.

A. Settling Down in Babylon

i. Isarel had been brutally and forcibly removed to exile (vv. 1, 7)

1. 586, Isarel was violently carried into Babylon, Edom gloated

2. EXAMPLE: Gladiator II, when Numbia is sacked

ii. Yet the “rivers of Babylon” were not so bad

1. The Tigris, Euphrates Rivers were fertile; Israel had freedom to flourish

2. APPLICATION: The problem – then and now – is that some adapt, fit in

B. When We Hang Our Harps on the Poplar

i. But Babylon was never home, so Isarel lived in the despair of longing (vv. 1-2)

1. BUT: The Levites who were used to singing couldn’t sing while in exile

2. Hanging up the harps a death: a twisted contradiction between experience

ii. Some of us have hung up our harps:

1. APPLICATION Some of us know this: weary, discouraged, loss, grief, (“Great is thy Faithfulness?” “When Peace Like a River?”)

2. APPLICATION: Some find it hard to persevere in “costly obedience”

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED TO HANG OUR HARPS ON THE POPLARS OF BABYLON?

II) Setting Jerusalem As Our Highest Joy

A. A Commitment to Remember (vv. 5-6a)

i. A Temptation to Forget where we Live

1. Sometimes the way to resolve this tension is to acclimate

2. EXAMPLE: Some are more concerned about fitting in; being accepted;

ii. A commitment to remember where we Live

1. The Psalmist is determined to remember where he truly belongs (vs. 5)

2. APPLICATION: We are “Chosen exiles”, not home in this world (1 Peter 1:1)

1 Peter 1:1 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

3. EXAMPLE: The Immigrant experience

B. Future Joy Sustains us in the Present

i. A future-oriented vision gave joy to the present

1. The joy of trusting that the restoration of Jerusalem is coming sustains

2. We too await “New Jerusalem”  -- our highest joy! – this sustains

3. EXAMPLE: Narnia stories

ii. What does it look like to set Jerusalem as your highest joy?

1. APPLICATION: Some of us are persevering, even amidst our pain

2. Some of us are seeking justice, loving enemies, serving neighbors – because you have a vision for heaven!

IF WE COULD END THE SERMON HERE, IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL – BUT THINGS TURN DARK.

III) Remembering the Land of Edom (vv. 8-9)

A. A Dark Turn:

i. Seeking justice through vengeance

1. A dark statement…but symbolic language describing eradication of evil

2. A dark statement…but trusting that God will do justice

ii. But who is to blame?

1. Yes, Babylon, Edom, played a part in Israel’s destruction, but Israel was ultimately to blame

2. Ultimately, God is not the author of evil– human beings are to blame

B. A Hopeful Answer

i. But God nevertheless rescues us

1. Imagine a parent: “Smashing a child against the rocks?!”

2. But God would watch his child smashed against a Roman cross

ii. Jerusalem, our greatest Joy

1. The work of Jesus on the cross opens the door to a future reality: “Fallen is Babylon”…

2. …But the Holy City, coming down from heaven but a new heavens and earth

Transition:

Conclusion

Communion helps feed hungry pilgrims while we sit by the streams of Babylon.