My study of the Psalms has been a continual journey for many years now. When I first started, one of the things I realized about the Psalms was that every emotion I had ever experienced was found in the Psalms.

I could find Psalms that spoke of joy (Psalm 16 & 33). Psalms that speak of God as our fortress when I was feeling threatened (Psalm 18). I could find the promise of God being my strength when I felt weak. (Psalm 28 31, & 40) There are even Psalms that speak of anger but that’s for another day.

Of course, we all love and can quote the 23^rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

There are various “kinds” or “types” of Psalms. (These are called, “genres.”) One of my favorites is the, “lament.”  A very simple definition of a lament is that it starts off kind of whiny but ends up in victory.

Ever feel kind of whiny? Things aren’t going like we want them to go. Seems like every time we turn around, we are having a conflict with someone. We don’t understand what’s happening or why it’s happening. We don’t know what to do and we feel helpless and even hopeless.

Instead of sitting down and eating a can of worms, the psalmist gives us a great plan for dealing with these emotions. He lets us know that it’s okay to express these emotions, especially to God. Denying you feel this way will only lead to an explosion down the road and there will be innocent victims.

Psalm 3 is a lament of David. He was having a really bad day. His son was trying to kill him You can read the whole story starting in 2 Samuel 15.) Take a moment to read the first four verses in Psalm 3. The first four verses are understandably “whiny.” “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’” Take note though, David didn’t stay there. He pulled from his past. He drew from the faithfulness of God in days gone by. Listen to what he says, “BUT you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts up my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.”

Even though things aren’t going like we want them to go these days and maybe even for many more days to come doesn’t mean we are helpless and hopeless. Don’t forget that important word “BUT.”  It’s okay to express your emotions to God. He can handle them. He understands. Best of all, He can bring comfort, peace and joy in these times. He is more than able to bring you through victoriously.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the most famous lament, Psalm 22. Jesus quoted this Psalm from the cross when He was having a bad day.

Always in Pursuit!

Don