by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Isolation Won’t Last Forever

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.” 
Psalm 131:1 English Standard Version

Why is hope so important today? Maybe it’s always been important, but it seems that there are more people in search of hope now than in the past. Then again, as indicated by this psalm, the need for hope is part of our human condition no matter when we live.

Following their return from exile in Babylon, the people of Israel often gathered for worship at the temple in Jerusalem. While in Babylon they couldn’t sing the Lord’s songs.

“We put away our harps, hanging them on the branches of poplar trees. For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land?” 
Psalm 137:2-4 New Living Translation

However, now that they had returned, now that the temple had been rebuilt, they gathered to sing. They gathered to find hope in the One who freed them from their captivity. This psalm was used by the people of Israel when they assembled in Jerusalem to remember God’s saving work – their freedom from slavery in Egypt and their safe return after captivity in Babylon.

It’s hard to sing right now, isn’t it?

You probably sat near your computer on Easter Sunday to “gather” with others to sing of God’s victory over death, but it wasn’t the same. There was a sense of isolation.

This isolation feels like our Babylonian captivity. “How can we sing songs of the LORD while in a” COVID-19 pandemic? We sing because we still have HOPE. Death has been swallowed up in victory. The grave has been defeated. Christ has risen. No pandemic can take this hope from our hearts. We sing, though maybe not as loudly, because we have hope in our isolation.

The day will come when our hope of glory returns, Christ Jesus the victorious Lamb of God. In that day, standing in the heavenly temple, our hope will be realized.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado