Lament 5: What We Feel vs. What is Real
It’s easy to go through moments where we feel sorry for ourselves. Letting our minds run away with all of the “what-ifs” that become real the more that we think about them. Learning to do life one moment at a time becomes our goal.
Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you,
And you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!”
Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.
Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
And no one else can help me.
My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
Fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water,
And all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
An evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing.
O Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
Save me from the sword;
spare my precious life from these dogs.
Snatch me from the lion’s jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations.
Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.
Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.
One thing I have appreciated as I have studied this concept of lament is how real the psalmist presents it. We can sense anger, frustration, desperation, joy, and sadness, along with many other emotions and feelings. The psalmist is honest about the highs and lows of life.
It’s easy to feel as if we are journeying on this life alone. Especially when times are challenging. Even those closest to us may disagree with our choices, and we may find ourselves feeling as if we are alone to handle everything set before us. It’s also easy to feel abandoned by God. If He holds the whole world and knows all things, then why is He allowing this? Or why doesn’t He fix this?
I, too, have found myself asking these same questions. Wondering what the plan could be or whether any good could come out of what seems like a hot and sticky mess. But God does come through. He always comes through. It may not be on our timetable, and it may take 5, 10, or 50 years to realize it, but God always works His plans for our good and His glory. There may be things in our earthly lifetime that we will not see an answer for or understand. But eternity is on the horizon. All questions will be answered when we are embraced in eternity. All will be worth it when we join in that Heavenly celebration. That alone gives me hope today.
I’ve been reminded that in times of loneliness or confusion, God is near. He knows every single intricate detail about me and you. He loves us too much to leave us on our own. I’m comforted to know that He understands the tears, the grief, the pain, in the times in which I can’t even find the words to pray or communicate with Him. That is the God we serve. He is close to the broken. He heals wounds. He dries tears. He mends what is shattered. He takes the broken pieces and weaves them together for something beautiful.
I shared this in the first week of our lament journey, and I want to share it again. The author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, Mark Vroegop, shares-
“Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting in God’s sovereignty.”
Perhaps you find yourself today in a season of lament. A season of immense grief and pain. I hope you can be encouraged today that you’re not alone. That you are loved and seen and enough. Right now.
I pray that you can come to a knowledge and understanding of God’s love for you and accept the peace that only He can bring and provide. A peace that gives us the ability to live in the middle of grief and joy. Allowing them to coexist as we navigate the journey of life He has called us for. The journey is not going to be easy all the time. The storms are going to come, but I pray that you can lean into God’s grace and mercy for your life for each moment and each step that you take. We can, as believers, trust in God and walk through tough times with grace. The world is watching how we navigate this life. What are they going to see? Be encouraged, friends.
