Psalms Streak: A Daily Devotional in the PsalmsSample

Foreigners

In Psalm 137, we see the Israelites remembering the time when they were refugees in Babylon. They were taken as captives from their homes and forced to live in a land that was foreign, among people who didn't understand or care for them. In this Psalm, we read the cries of the people and the pleas for justice. Life as a refugee is hard, lonely, and often filled with hopelessness.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are 82.4 million refugees in the world. That's nearly the entire population of Germany! A refugee is someone who has been forced out of his or her home as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. Refugees come from all over the world, but 2/3 of the people displaced across boarders come from just five countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar. These refugees often have to walk hundreds of miles just so they don't have to fear death or violence any more. Many of the refugees are children and teenagers. Teens often make the journey alone and have to leave their families behind, not knowing if they will ever see them again or if their families will be killed after they leave.

While this Psalm doesn't end in hope or joy, we know how their story ended. They were released from captivity and were allowed to return to their home. Yes, life was still difficult for the Israelites, but they were able to look back and remember how God saved them. Take a moment and pray for one of the five countries listed. Pray for the people who are experiencing fear and hopelessness. Pray they will experience God's hope and peace so that they, like the Israelites, will one day be able to remember how God showed up and rescued them.

GO DEEP: Who will you pray for? Spend time doing a little research on your own today. Find some information about one of the five countries listed and pray specific prayers over the people.

BE BOLD: Who needs to hear this? Who could you share it with?