In a previous post, I introduced you to the genre of Psalms known as lament. Laments came from those times of great questions, from persecution, from hardships, and events that cause us to wonder where God is, or to wonder if God is going to be trustworthy.
There are over 60 Psalms classified as laments. Some scholars choose to ignore the lament, denying the existence of these emotions. Some have simply stated that “if we have faith” we will not experience times that bring about lamentations. I do not agree with that and obviously, the Holy Spirit, the one who breathed these words into the heart of the writer did not believe that way either. Difficult times wreak havoc on our emotions.
As I’ve studied many of the laments, I believe they were placed in God’s Word for the purpose of showing us how to handle those emotions when they come rather than allow them to handle us.
We all experience times of doubt, fear, helplessness, and hopelessness but we do not have to camp there. The Word of God encourages us to express these emotions to God and allow Him to speak to us from those times. Too often we do two things in these dark times. We deny them, put on a “happy face” and pretend that all is well. Even when we pray, we try to convince God that we’re okay. But He knows better. And He is waiting for us to come clean. To confess we are having a tough time. To ask for His help and to put our trust in Him. Too often we carry guilt over our emotions which causes us to hide or feel condemned.
Perhaps the most famous of the laments is Psalm 22. This was the Psalm Jesus quoted while hanging on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”
The psalmist is being honest with his emotions. Jesus was being honest with His emotions. I believe the greatest source of pain for Jesus during all His trials and abuse as He was crucified was feeling separated from God. That was the “cup” He was asking to pass on in His prayer in Gethsemane.
Look though at the next line of Psalm 22. “YET you are enthroned as the Holy One, you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted you and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”
What a great prayer. We too can pray a prayer like that. Admit that times are tough; admit that we feel separated from God; admit that we do not always know what to do, then confess that you have confidence and know that God is more than able to bring you through this season.
God hasn’t changed. He’s the same today as He was while Jesus was on the cross or while David was being run out of town. He’ll do the same for you!
Always in Pursuit!
Don
In Pursuit! 