Good Grief Part 4: Learning to Lament in LamentationsSample

THE PROBLEM OF SIN

The second chapter of Lamentations doubles down on the message of the first, continuing to lament the pain of enduring the Lord’s anger and judgment. If this was the only bit of scripture we had available to us, we might begin to assume that this defines God’s character. Fortunately, that is not the case. Looking back to the passage in Leviticus we can see that the pain and destruction of Lamentations are only part of a much larger story. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and began to prepare them to occupy the promised land, He clearly laid out the terms of their collective covenant relationship with Him. He made them aware of the blessings that would flow from obedience and the curses that would result from rebellion. While the destruction of Jerusalem was devastating, it was actually a testament to the holiness and righteousness of God. He faithfully fulfilled His word through their discipline. As the writer of Lamentations recounted this, the people could acknowledge and repent of their communal unfaithfulness. It was important for the nation to mourn together the destructive effects of their collective sin.

God loved His people then and He loves His people now. Although the cost was high, getting their full attention and addressing their sin was essential to the long arc of His plan for the ultimate restoration of all mankind. And we know that complete restoration is coming through Jesus and the Holy Spirit because God IS faithful.

Ask Yourself:

- What role do you think apathy played in the downfall of Jerusalem?

- What impact do you think collective mourning had on the Israelites going forward?

- As you look around your community today, what cultural trends do you find concerning?

- How can you let the lessons of Lamentations impact the way you respond?

Pause to Pray: Holy God, I worship you today for you are righteous and true, faithful to every word you have spoken. Awaken my heart to the ways that I have failed to uphold your holiness in _______. Enliven your Spirit within me to share your perfect love with those around me.

Living Lament: Grab your journal! Try your hand at writing a short lament prayer specifically addressing a current point of grief in your community. Maybe God is leading you to pray for an area of rebellion against His Word, a lack of love, or______. Then reach out to a friend or two who share this concern and find a time to lament together.