By the rivers of Babylon...

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered ZionPsalm 137:5-6.

Its evening, a cool breeze, smells of flowers in the air and right in front of me is one of the most beautiful sights the eye can behold or imagine, beautiful waters, teeming with fish, rivers lush with green grass topped with wonderful looking trees, it is the river of Babylon. It is a sight so good it would make an artist drool but I gaze down from where I sit with tears rolling down my eye, because I know for sure, that where I come from for so many reasons, is a lot better, I know that where I come from, I was free.

Its late at night, I enter a night club, music is blasting, people are dancing, I have this stunning lady by my side we walk to the bar, order a couple of drinks meet up with friends. Everyone looks like they are having fun. The music is good, the company is even better and my friends sometimes they are just the best. Not tonight though, tonight I remember the last time I was in His presence and I know for sure that tonight is nothing compared to that.

He looks so handsome in his wedding suit, dazzling smile on his face as he beholds his bride. Her wedding dress is beautiful, her walk so graceful. Everyone looks at her and then look at him, he is the envy of all the single men. All eyes turn back to the bride as she makes her way to him. If only they could look beneath the veil and see the fear in her eyes, if they could feel her heart beat fluttering in fear because she is so unsure. Am I doing the right thing? Why am I here? If only they could have a glimpse of her thoughts as she remembered the last time she was totally happy, with "that guy". He made her laugh, he brought her joy. She may have lacked a couple of things, but he made her happy.

Three different stories from three different times, the same meaning though, practically the same story line. I mentioned in my post Pillar of Salt about the effects of leaving a situation at the right time and leaving your heart in it. Today I am writing about leaving the right situation, sometimes unwillingly, most times by choice.
Babylon was a wonderful place, a beautiful city, beautiful land full of all sorts and manner of people. Does that remind you of similar situations and temptations that cross our path? Sometimes more money just isn't worth it, sometimes being more handsome or more beautiful isn't a high enough price to pay. So many reasons we give (really excuses) to walk out of different situations because we just feel that where we are just isn't worth it.

How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. Psalm 137:4-6

I read that passage tonight and I remember all the things I told myself when i was younger. No drinking, no smoking, womanizing being just a few. I kept all these until I got to my Babylon. I broke all my rules, every single one of them. One thing I know for sure, I had no peace, not for a day or a night all through that time. We make promises, we vow, make rules and we are so sure we will keep them. We make those promises long before we gaze on Babylon, long before we see beauty good enough to make our gaze, make our memories waver, make our steps falter long before we slowly begin to fall. Now the question is, what is your Babylon? Are you in a new place, a job, a city? Have things gotten a lot more interesting lately? There is a new guy/gal in the house and you just can't shake off that interest? You just made new friends that have brand new habits and you just one to try something new? You forget promises made, songs sang, the prayers made on knees not too long ago. You forget it all when you come face to face with Babylon.
I can assure you of three very true things;
Firstly, Babylon is no more, Mount Zion still stands. Secondly, Mount Zion has always been and will always be more beautiful that Babylon. Finally, you are not alone. Peter fell flat on his face several hours after he promised that he would stay true, it is what you do after you land in Babylon that matters.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:1-2

And I looked down at Babylon, remembered Zion and wept...