Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
(Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/4.28.2013)
“Bible Reading in Times of Sorrow and Suffering” Chapter 14
Psalm 90:10
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Opening Thoughts
Ø Trouble and sorrow are part of life in a sin-cursed world.
Ø They are part of the tapestry of our life of faith that God is weaving.
Ø How do we res...
Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
(Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/4.28.2013)
“Bible Reading in Times of Sorrow and Suffering” Chapter 14
Psalm 90:10
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Opening Thoughts
Ø Trouble and sorrow are part of life in a sin-cursed world.
Ø They are part of the tapestry of our life of faith that God is weaving.
Ø How do we respond in these times?
A Place for Lament
Ø Our secular culture and even often our church culture do not have a place for lament.
Ø The Psalms are not all praise.
Ø Both praise and lament are intended to draw us to God.
What Is Lament?
Ø A form of prayer or worship.
Ø A difficult conversation with God.
Ø Expressing disappointment, suffering, anger, & bitterness.
Ø Modeled for us in the Bible.
Ø Very relational in nature and involves total honesty
Ø Lament is intended to strengthen our relationship with God, to drive us closer to him in times of sorrow.
Ø God desires to relate to us even on our worst days.
Perspective in a Dark World
Ø Laments help us to worship in moments of powerlessness.
Ø Lament reorients our view to God’s perspective.
Ø God’s timing – not ours.
Ø Not always answers, but a closer relationship with God.
Laments for Real Life
Ø Lament is often ongoing, not momentary.
Ø Lament may be opportunity for service – for God to display his strength in my weakness.
Ø My weakness and sorrow can be offered to God in worship.
Kinds of Laments
Ø Lament of Contrition – sin
Ø Lament of Betrayal –abandonment or rejection (by people or God!)
Ø Lament of Sickness – battling illness or disease
Lamentations 3 as Example
Ø Written by Jeremiah, who witnessed the devastation on Jerusalem by Babylonians.
Ø In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah’s lament moves from corporate (we) to personal (I).
Lamentations 3:1
I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the LORD's wrath.
Lamentations 3:2
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light;
Lamentations 3:3
indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.
Lamentations 3:5
He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.
Lamentations 3:7
He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.
Lamentations 3:8
Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.
Lamentations 3:15
He has filled me with bitter herbs and given me gall to drink.
Lamentations 3:19
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
Lamentations 3:20
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Turning Point in Lament
Ø Biblical lament never stays in sorrow and grief.
Ø Through lament, one gains perspective about God and his ways.
Ø Lament leads to hope in the mercies of God.
Lamentations 3:21
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Lamentations 3:22
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:23
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Concluding Thoughts
Ø Lament is biblical and draws us closer to God.
Ø Lament honestly pours out our hearts to God.
Ø Lament reorients our perspective to remember the mercy and love of God.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
April 28, 2013 Sunday PM
Unless otherwise noted, the verses are in NIV.
