WATCHWORD:
37 Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?
38 Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?
39 Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.
41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven and say,
42 “We have sinned and rebelled, and you have not forgiven us.
43 “You have engulfed us with your anger, chased us down, and slaughtered us without mercy. Lamentations 3:37-43
Meditation:
Lament (Reprise)
In light of the tragedy that occurred in Afghanistan recently, I thought a great deal about the families of the 200+ lives that were lost, their grieving that continues long after the memorials, the hymns, the prayers.
Here’s an old-fashioned Biblical word for you: Lament. Yes, like “Lamentations”, but what does it mean to lament? Is it like grief that many of us are familiar with. I thought I had an idea, until I looked it up in my Webster’s. Here is what I found: Lament, a mourning, wailing, to feel deep sorrow. To regret deeply. It is also a literary and musical term meant to convey deep sadness. Is that what you thought?
Well here’s another definition, or at least a different application. Lament is an important concept in the Old Testament, and one deeply ingrained into the Jewish mindset. In some ways, it was closely related to repent, a turning from evil. For those in Jerusalem it was a privilege, bringing their deepest hurts, or struggles to God who cares for us. In lament, we know God as a caring and active spiritual entity, in contrast to the idol gods of the land. Keep in mind that the gods of ancient near East were harsh and demanding, so that the loving compassion of the true God made Him the perfect person to whom someone could take their heartaches.
That sounds a bit like the Catholic confessional, and maybe it is. Or if it sounds like John the Baptist telling all to repent from their evil ways, yes, it is, that, too. Keep in mind the slow evolution of Christianity from persisting legalism of early Judaism. God’s plan is still unfolding.
The entire book of Lamentations portrays the sufferings of the Israelites as though one man, the author, Jeremiah, had experienced them. It is a reminder that suffering, grief, disappointment always takes place at the individual level. We can sympathize and we can empathize, but we cannot truly feel their pain and suffering, except at the personal level.
We do not like the pain of loss. It is always there with you. You can leave the room, but where ever you are, there it is. You can, like me who took off after the death of my wife, and drove 16,000 miles in six months, and, strangely enough, in the end, there was the pain of loss, right there in the passenger seat.
In the above passage, Jeremiah reminds us that in the midst of the sharp edges of loss it may be difficult to remember that God is in charge and that God allows all of this. When you think about it, knowing that God is there with you in your pain, it’s a world better than being alone, at the mercy of fate.
You have heard that confession is good for the soul. That is one part of the package. Our mental health, or spiritual health, is advanced when we repent. But that journey to spiritual good health is hard to follow alone. Close friends, and a close speaking/listening, ever-present relationship with God are indispensable.
Ever-present. Did you follow that? He is the God of our day, every nano-second of it. You could drive around the world and He would still be right there. You can deny Him, like Peter, and He would still come to you. You could feel alone and lost, but He would still find you and be your compass and companion. His presence gives our lives meaning and purpose. Thank you, God.
In our prayers, let us lift up all those who are “lamenting” the loss of a loved one, whoever they are, for they feel a keening deep inside their heart. Let us pray that the comfort of the Lord, which is right there for them, will lift them from the darkness of their grief. Amen.
Praying Psalm 139:
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me! Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Amen.
