Protests & Prayers: God’s Word on InjusticeSample

DAY THREE: LAMENT + HOPE

“planting seeds

inevitably

changes my feelings

about rain”

-Forecast, by Luci Shaw

There’s no question that our world is broken, and people everywhere experience pain and injustice. Disease, famine, natural disasters and man-made disasters. Corrupt politicians, con men, compromised authorities. The list goes on and on. 

When we as Christians are doing our best to obey God and to honor him, it can be so frustrating and demoralizing to see evil and injustice still ruling over our world. We know that Jesus has defeated sin and death, but so much sin still surrounds us. What do we do while we wait for Jesus to return and make all things right? 

We lament, and we hope. 

It may seem like lament and hope are opposites—one is complaining and pessimistic, one is fantasizing and optimistic. But that’s too simplistic. When God invites us to lament and hope at the same time, he’s asking us to be honest with him about our pain, while also believing in him as our helper and rescuer. 

As these passages remind us, we can pour our hearts out before God about the things that trouble us. We can grieve the injustices we face every day. He is the safest place and he understands. 

But these passages also remind us that we won’t find fulfillment in the strength of other people. We have to put our hope in God alone, so that we can be sustained through seasons of suffering. People will fail us, leaders will fall, and many times it will feel like justice is never coming. But God will never fail us, never leave us, and always comfort us. We hope in him because he has the ultimate and eternal victory. 

Reflection Questions:

What earthly people or institutions have I put my hope in, instead of in God?

What does it look like for me to be honest and open with God about my pain? What things have I been afraid to bring to him? 

How has God sustained me in the past, even when I was suffering? What can I do to keep putting my trust in him when my outside circumstances are disappointing or painful?