Finding Hope in the Hard Places
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. ~ Psalm 137:1
Have you ever felt stuck in a place you didn’t want to be? A place of pain, loss, or discouragement? That’s exactly where the people of Israel were when Psalm 137 was written. They had been taken captive to Babylon, far from their home, and all they could do was sit by the rivers and weep for what they had lost.
I remember a time when I felt like I was in my own personal Babylon, so far from where I wanted to be in life. I had made mistakes, faced setbacks, and felt like I had lost my song. I wanted to move forward, but the weight of regret and disappointment kept me sitting by the river of my own sorrow.
But God met me there. He reminded me that even in captivity, He was still God. Even when I couldn’t see a way forward, He had a plan. Even when I had lost my reason for singing and my hope for another day, He could restore my joy.
If you are feeling that way today, here are some practical steps you can take to welcome His presence right in the middle of your captivity.
- Be Honest with God – The Israelites didn’t hide their pain; they brought it before God. If you’re struggling, don’t suppress it, bring it to Him in prayer. Cast your burdens on Him and He will sustain and lift you up.
- Remember Who You Are – The Israelites longed for Zion because that was their true home. As believers, our true home is in God’s presence. No matter where life takes us, we belong to Him.
- Refuse to Settle in the Pain – The enemy wants us to stay stuck in bitterness, but God calls us to move forward in faith. Even when things feel hopeless, keep trusting that God will bring restoration.
Here are some actions you can take today to start getting out of the ruts you are stuck in:
- Talk to God about your disappointments – Tell Him where you feel stuck or discouraged.
- Find a scripture to stand on – Psalm 137 reflects sorrow, but other Psalms remind us of hope. Psalm 126:5 says, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Hold onto that promise.
- Worship, even in the hard places – You may not feel like singing, but praising God shifts your focus from captivity to freedom.
Today I want to encourage you that even though you may feel like you are sitting by the rivers of Babylon right now, feeling like you’ve lost your joy, your hope, or your purpose, to remember your story doesn’t end here. God is still writing it. The Israelites’ time in Babylon was temporary, and so is your struggle. Don’t hang up your harp forever. Keep trusting, keep hoping, and keep moving forward. God will restore your joy, and one day, you’ll sing again.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes Your little ones against the rock!
The Daily Dose 