Lamentations & HallelujahsChikamu
Ask God For Help
“You had nine months to prepare.” The slicing words came across the room from a hospital attendant as she scolded me for not bringing “appropriate” clothing to wear during my stay. Her words stung as I blinked the tears away. I offered no response. If she only knew.
God’s grace had carried me through those nine months filled with lamentations and earnest expectations. My husband and I called out to the Lord for help on numerous occasions. We held on to hope that any day now, we would see God move on our behalf.
Looking back at Psalm 64, David began with, "Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;" and then we see a shift taking place in verse 7, but God. He started to declare by faith what He knew His God was capable of and ended his complaint with what I consider a hallelujah, “all the upright in heart will glory in Him.”
We see throughout the book of Psalms David’s unapologetic call to God for help.
Even when he felt rejected or chastised, even when his heart grew faint, he continued to call out to God. How do you respond when you feel rejected, abandoned, unheard by God?
Do you continue to pour out lamentations—petitions—or do you go silent?
I went through all the phases, pouring out my lamentations to God, bringing my complaints, asking for help, and still nothing. I felt I had nothing left. I was on the verge of giving up. I realized that I was becoming like a brook, slowly drying up.
But God! As I sat on that hospital bed, listening to an uncaring stranger, all I could think about was how God came to our aid that very morning. He had heard our cry for help. A hallelujah was rising in my heart.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for hearing me when I call. Help me to not grow weary as I wait for Your deliverance. May I call to mind Your faithfulness and goodness in moments when my memory fails me. You are my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Amen
About this Plan
We are not exempted from pain, sorrow, and difficult times. Follow the example of Jesus and David, they too journeyed through difficult times, pouring out their laments to God. Lamentations are more than tears. They are prayers birthed out of the pain and sorrows of life. This 5-day plan will help you to navigate the hard places, as you learn to pour out your laments and lift up a hallelujah.
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