I remember my surprise to learn that Lamentations 3:22-23, which inspired the lyrics to “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was the end of a lament. I thought it was simply a hymn of praise. How much more meaningful it makes the lyrics to realize that in the midst of EARTH-SHATTERING SORROW, Jeremiah is buoying up his soul by remembering God’s mercies from the past.
How I remember the grief of young friends at the loss of their child,
yet
they signed their letter to family and friends with Lament. 3:22:
Because of His mercies, we are not consumed.
That is our “yet” as well.
We will all walk through deep waters, through the fire, but the difference for believers is that when we walk through the waters, He will be with us, and, this is not the end of the story.
HIGHLIGHTS from LAST WEEK:
I will give just a few highlights each week. I am so impressed with how you are lamenting for one another, holding one another up. You were particularly wonderful with Laura last week.
Sharon gave this great picture of Jonathan’s Edwards point that God looks at us through a narrow and wide focus lens:
Being a photographer this is very helpful. I love macro photography and have taken close up pictures of our huge garden spiders that we have hanging around. It is a much different perspective to see them up close, their eight legs…two long ones in the back, two short ones in the middle, and then the other four are long ones in the front, they look so soft and fuzzy with beautiful colors of yellow, gold, black and white and the webs they weave look like rope. I have also photographed them from a distance and to see their webs in the morning dew with the sun shining through them…they look like pearl beads, not ropes, but you can see in the bigger picture of all the work they’ve accomplished with those eight little legs! I think that’s what God sees through the wide-angle lens is His purpose for us, but yet up close He sees every detail of what will accomplish that purpose.
Diane gave this link from a missionary in Lebanon — his lament posted on The Gospel Coalition. Let us pray together for them:
Despair and Light from the Rubble of Beirut
Sunday:
- When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
- Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
- Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
Monday: Some of Our Best Songs Follow Laments
Prepare your heart with this:
Great is Thy Faithfulness is based on the hope that follows Jeremiah’s lament.
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth is based on the hope that follows Job’s lament.
4. Can you think of any other well-known hymns or songs that are the end of a lament?
There are so many parallels between Job 19 and Lamentations 3!
“I am nothing but skin and bones. I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.” (Job 19:20)The opening of Lamentations 3 so reminds me of Job and his laments – he said very similar things, yet at the close, we have what Handel put to music: “I know my Redeemer liveth!”
5. Read Job 19:17-27
A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes?
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of
Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven!
6. Read Lamentations 3:1-20
A. Find at least 3 pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrow.
B. Do any of these remind you of Job?
C. Do any of these remind you of Jesus?
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand
and speak truth to them?
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain.
D. What does verse 24 mean?
Tuesday: No Hope — Dare To Hope
8. In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, chapter 6, read the section “No Hope” and share what
stands out to you.
9. Now read “You Have Taken Up My Cause” and share the main point.
10. Bring to mind one time when God “took up your cause.”
11. Read “Dare to Hope”
A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament?
B. Share a time you had to trust before you knew God would meet you.
C. What do you learn from the Tim Keller quote or anything else in this section?
Wednesday: It is Good
12. Read Lamentations 3:20-24 very slowly and find a nugget of gold to remember. Ponder and apply. This is a rich text.
13. Pastor Mark says that in the Hebrew Lament. 3:25-27 begins with Good — rephrase each of the sentences beginning with Good.
- Good
- Good
- Good
14. What are some good ways according to Lament. 3:28-42 to respond to the Lord’s discipline?
15. How might you do this now? Pray silently or here.
16. Finish Lamentations 3 and find 2 examples each of:
Lament
Asking questions
Trusting
Thursday: Hope Springs From Truth Rehearsed
The reason we keep Gratitude Journals, share God Hunts, or rehearse His promises is to prepare for the inevitable storms of life.
17. Share a recent God Hunt or express gratitude here.
18. Finish Chapter 6 (Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed) and share notes and comments.
Friday: Reflection Questions
18. In your own personal lament for right now, what are some truths you need to speak to your soul?
19. Choose another reflection question from the book to answer.
Saturday: Take-A-Way
20. What is your take-a-way and why?
172 comments
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
In January of 1981 our 14 month old daughter Abigail died after open heart surgery. In the dark days, weeks and months following I remember reading through Lamentations at some point. I don’t remember who directed me to read it. It was very possibly Charles Swindoll because I listened to him a lot during those days. But I remember as I read through Lamentations that I felt like someone understood the sorrow I was experiencing. And when I came to Lamentations chapter 3: 22-23, it was like an oasis. It was hope. (We did sing the old hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness at Abby’s funeral, but I didn’t know the context in Lamentations yet.)
The Lord gave us five other children after the death of Abby. They are all adults now. My daughter Erin came and stayed for six weeks shortly after our state ordered sheltering-in because of the Pandemic. In the midst of her own personal difficult circumstances, Erin sang a lot. We recorded this song by Sara Groves that is based on Lamentations 3:22-23.
He’s Always Been Faithful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BSoIknK6-8
Lyrics:
Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.
I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me.
Oh Nila, thanks for sharing this — how Lamentations ministered to you after Abigail’s death. A baby is so precious at 14 months.
How very difficult and what a beautiful testimony you are to God’s sustaining grace and faithfulness.
I had never heard this song you shared, Nila. You, your daughter, and I assume her child, sang it beautifully. I loved hearing the sweet coos of the child at the end. So appropriate that there were three generations represented in the video. You have learned from our Father that He has been, is, and will be faithful. You have taught it to your daughter and now she is teaching it to the next generation.
Yes Jean, those are the sounds of my newborn grandson that you heard. He was on the floor by us in his infant seat.
My other daughter Annie joined us at one point and we recorded this one where you can actually see precious baby Ethan. 🙂 Love singing truth with these girls.
This is a facebook link to a song we sang called As You Find Me. Hope this works.
https://www.facebook.com/aerynwolfe/videos/10158372417184207/
I love this song you have shared, Nila.
Thank you for sharing so vulnerably, Nila. I like Chuck Swindoll, too, and I found this so beautiful, when you said that when you read through Lamentations, it felt like someone understood the sorrow you were experiencing. Yes, Someone did understand.
Nila, I am so sorry but glad you shared. such a deep deep valley. Your testimony and life so points us to Him.
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
There is a shift in v. 21 where he recalls God’s character and His mercies shown to him. That even in the ruins and darkness of a valley His mercies are there. In my situation His mercies are a balm and are lifting me up out of the ruins into heights with Him even though things are still dark. I have moments and days where I lament still but in the waiting I am learning to turn my heart toward Him, my hope.
2. Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
Oh yes this past year. In this process first God had to show me what I placed my hope in and it took me crying out to God and my sister in law that if my marriage is ending then I have no reason to live. That was the beginning of the turning point for me. Once God revealed where I was placing my hope, I let go and my lament changed from there is no hope to remembering His mercy, His faithfulness and trusting He is in control-but it was a process as He led me into places in His word and led me back to my old memory verses to review. This dark valley continues but what matters is that I continue pointing my heart to the truth (His Word, HIM) and trusting His control rather than trusting in my circumstances for we can soar like an eagle with Him…oh yes, and there is truly nothing more fulfilling and sustaining.
3. Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
Jeremiah uses his song of sorrow to point his heart to the truth regardless of what he sees..God is in control, his mercies never end. Jeremiah points his heart to the truth, not to what he sees. Despite what I see, feel or think, lament can be a supply of Grace as I affirm God’s mercies are new every day. As I rehearse what is true, hope can rise.
I’m so glad we are doing this book — even if it was only for you, Rebecca!
The wonder of God’s timing! 🙂 When I sat down in our counselor’s chair last Wed. and the first thing he said when he looked at me, and with pain in his eyes was, do you know what it means to lament? Have you read Lamentations? 🙂
Rebecca, your testimony here in your difficult circumstances is a rich wonder; like shining light of God’s love and mercy reflecting off black, deep lake of sorrow.
Thanks Diane! It was such a balm to come here this morning and read your encouragement. 🙂
Rebecca, your consistent pursuit of God through the “raging storm” in your life blesses my heart. The words of a song are my prayer for you:
There is no problem too big God cannot solve it, There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it there is no storm too dark, He cannot calm it; There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it.
If He carry the weight of the world upon His shoulder, I know my sister that He will carry you… (based on Isaiah 46:4)
Yes Bing, soooo true. Indeed there is no storm too dark that he can’t calm it and no sorrow too deep that He can’t soothe.
It’s one thing to sing of God’s faithfulness and grace in hard times when the storm is past, but to hear you speak of His faithfulness and grace in the midst of deep hurt is amazing. Thank you for being God’s vessel of grace to shine the light onto the path of other deep sufferers, Rebecca.
Miriam, your encouragement is a way He showed me His faithfulness this morning. 🙂
Sharing your heart, Rebecca, is so precious. May God’s mercies bless you through this dark time.
Rebecca, I have rarely met anyone like you, who, in the midst of her own pain, ministers so beautifully to others. The way you live out your faith is beautiful. “In this process first God had to show me what I placed my hope in and it took me crying out to God and my sister in law that if my marriage is ending then I have no reason to live. That was the beginning of the turning point for me. Once God revealed where I was placing my hope, I let go and my lament changed from there is no hope to remembering His mercy, His faithfulness and trusting He is in control….”
I am very sorry though that you are going through so much pain in your marriage, but I am encouraged at how close God is holding you at the same time.
I have found myself saying those words, “I have no reason to live”, but for a different reason. I feel so wobbly trying to hold onto God instead of a human relationship.
Yes Susan, you are so wise-i love the way you expressed how you feel. Often you describe these things so well-yes wobbly.
Yes Susan ~ I’m wobbly too.
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
I cannot remember when I realized but those verses have been an anchor to me at various difficult times. When my father had heart surgery 20 years ago, a friend gave me these verses and I remember looking up the verses and reading them in context, amazed at Jeremiah’s hope in the midst of his devastating circumstances.
2. Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
I have struggled with difficult circumstances in life and with depression and many times when my heart tells me “there is no hope!” I have learned that I cannot trust my emotions but must turn my heart to God and His Word – often reading Scripture, praying, journaling, listening to Christian music and trusting God, even in the darkness, until the hopelessness passes. Jeremiah 29:11-13 are also anchors of hope for me in the midst of desperate situations.
“11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Diane–I love what you shared here, I relate ” I cannot trust my emotions but must turn my heart to God and His Word – often reading Scripture, praying, journaling, listening to Christian music and trusting God, even in the darkness, until the hopelessness passes.”
It’s hope-filled to hear you say, “until the hopelessness passes” because it’s a reminder that it DOES pass, His mercies are new every morning.
Lizzy, good to see your comments. How are you doing?
1. When did you realize Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does that tell you?
I kind of knew it from something Dee did earlier in her blogs, but today I tried to figure out exactly where the beginning was, and then I ended up trying to figure out how many laments are in the book. I found what looked to be another ‘end’ in 3:56-58, but there is a whole lot of lament in this book! If I had written it, I would have tried to end the book on a positive note, but Jeremiah doesn’t. What this tells me is that our lives might be more lament than flower strewn paths, but our glimpses of God’s character can be enough to hold us until we reach heaven and have all our tears wiped away.
2. Tim Keller says when our hearts say there is no hope, we need to argue back. Have you done this? What have you said?
Like others here, I struggle with depression. When thoughts about death or hopelessness come, I remind myself, “That isn’t what God says. This emotion will not last forever. Move your mind, Mary, unto Who God is.”
3. Chapter 6, up to No Hope.
It was helpful for me to see in my mind’s eye the picture of Jerusalem’s devastation with the verses from Lamentations superimposed on it. Maybe because our saying the verses doesn’t make the hard stuff go away. But it puts truth and hope over the top of it. Like photography, changing our focus from the background to the foreground, helping us see from an eternal perspective.
When Mark talked about lament not only giving voice to the pain you feel but also anchoring your heart to truth, it is like a breath of fresh air when you’ve been too long in a stuffy room. He reiterated that when he said that despite what we see, feel and think, lament helps affirm that God’s mercy is there. And isn’t that what faith is all about? Affirming God’s mercy without being able to see it.
Oh, Mary, I relished every part of your comments here. It is helpful that you pointed out that the book does not end on a positive note, and how our lives are often the same, but we still have hope having had a glimpse of God in the midst of the devastation. And the verses of God’s faithfulness being superimposed on a scene of the destruction of Jerusalem – how powerful! This is real Christianity to me. I get so weary of reading Christian posts on social media about how faithful God is because their car was spared in the storm or because God healed their loved one or God gave them a new house, new job, new spouse, new baby. It all rings hollow when we really do see God’s dear children suffer devastating losses sometimes. My sweet Christian friend lost her husband to cancer in his 50’s and then a few months later her dear daughter committed suicide, seemingly without knowing Christ. Her pain is unimaginable and will not be quenched this side of Heaven. And yet, great is His faithfulness to her! Thank you for your comments here.
I appreciate your words here, Miriam, about your frustration with social media and testimonies that “ring hollow”. Some Christians go through pain that is unimaginable, as you say. Your sweet Christian friend is an example. And you yourself are going through great difficulties. May God prove faithful to you.
I hear you, Miriam. The faithfulness and goodness of God because in the end, everything turned out okay. But what about when it doesn’t. There are people who live with sorrow and pain that will not ever go away.
Mary, I so wish that life would have more “flower-strewn paths”! But yes, you are right that our lives may be more of lament. My comfort is that Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. And His kingdom is an inverted kingdom. As long as I live in this broken world, lament will be my companion. But so is the Holy Spirit, our comforter. I do not know how it is like to suffer from depression but I have loved ones who do. I like that you talk to your soul. “Move your mind, Mary unto who God is!” Praying that our hearts will always point to the truth.
Thanks to all here who open up so honestly about their true feelings of despair and depression. It’s good to know we are not alone. Sometimes in this world of “Pinterest Perfect” we think everyone else has got it all together and happy all the time. It makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong. I love reading from you all that though our circumstances may be different, we all face tribulation, it’s facing them with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that allows us to be hopeful and declare His mercies, faithfulness, and love.
So true Jean. “Pininterest Pefect” and maybe “Facebook Fake!”
Yes Jean ~ It’s good to know we are not alone.
Jean, So sweet and true! So glad we have that here!
Sunday:
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
I guess I have never used the word” lament” before in reference to the verses before 22-23 but have gone back to this passage time and time again especially when I have been in grief during my sister Grace’s fight with cancer and her passing away as well as my Mom’s death this past May. Their suffering was extended across a couple of years and I remember the sleepless, full of tears night. But in the morning, there was always a glimmer of hope that got me through the days. God has always been faithful to enable me to TURN and to some degree, I owe it to Lamentations Chapter 3. I have learned that proper lament can bring me to where I need to be and that is, a place of hope and trust in God alone.
I found this on the TGC site. A wonderful addition to our s study on Lament. It is by Paul Tripp. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/q-a-podcast/how-do-i-find-hope-in-suffering/
2.Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
I think of my daughter who has struggled with her faith for so many years now. Some days, my heart is so discouraged with where she is at in her walk with God. So as Keller said, we should argue back. And I use God’s Word to do so. The promise He has in Philippians 1:6 is one I claim for my daughter. He will complete what He has started in her. And I recall the story of the prodigal son and speak to my heart that the Father is always waiting with open arms for my daughter. (Luke 15:11-32) His arm is not too short to save her from herself. (Isaiah 59:1) He has called her by name; my daughter is His! (Isaiah 43:1)
Bing — so good to argue back for your daughter too.
Ernema,
Yes ~ arguing back for our children.
Bing–oh, your beautiful heart “His arm is not too short to save her from herself.” She is so blessed to have such a prayerful mom. Her story is not finished.
1. Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
I need to point my heart to the truth despite what I see.
The first part of Lamentations vs 1-20 being dark and hopeless while the second part vs. 21-60 reflects an emerging level of trust.
I find it interesting and very comforting that though bleak were the first 20 verses, Jeremiah doubled the number of verses to reflect on the character of God. Although still interspersed with lament, there is the consistent thread of him turning to God.
“I find it interesting and very comforting that though bleak were the first 20 verses, Jeremiah doubled the number of verses to reflect on the character of God. Although still interspersed with lament, there is the consistent thread of him turning to God.” I like this. Praying for your dear Ruth.
Thanks, Missy. Your prayers for Ruth are very much appreciated.
What a great observation and encouragement for us, to also spend twice as much time thinking on God as on our problems. Thank you, Bing!
5. Read Job 19:17-27
A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes?
That his own wife who he is one with finds him now to be a stranger as if she doesn’t know him-he isn’t the same man anymore. He is horrid to his brothers and sisters. Young children despise him. His intimate friends abhor him, and those he has loved have abandoned him.
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven!
I see the resurrection of Jesus in the first verse and God ruling over all the earth though to check myself I looked it up and there isn’t an agreement on this, but this is what I see. Job will see God face to face in his flesh.
Not that Keller is the final authority, but that is what he sees, what Spurgeon sees, what Mike Mason (who wrote my favorite Gospel According to Job) sees.
5. Read Job 19:17-27 A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes?
His breath offensive to his wife, he is loathsome to his own family, scorned and ridiculed, detested by others, He is skin and bones. His circle of relationships, from the inner to the outer is shattered. And to top it all, his own body is wracked in pain.
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven!
He will see Jesus with his own eyes even when his physical skin has been destroyed, he will have a new body with incorruptible flesh. Jesus’ presence will permeate the earth and He can be seen from anywhere as He stands on the earth! As one song from Casting Crowns says, “One day He’s coming Oh, glorious day!”
When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you? Today! 😜 I tells me that even in light of so much suffering and devastation, we can turn to as our faithful God!
Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart. Yes, more than once I have said something along the lines of ‘Tammy you have a choice you can focus on the fear, go deeper into the pit of despair or you can turn and trust that God is at work, that God has a plan for your life.’
Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you. I was thinking of that painting and how if would look if it was appropriate to the situation it was written in. Then I started to think of snapshots of my life, where darkness seemed to reign and despair surrounded me on every side. These verses superimposed over those moments. It also reminded me of a journal entry I have. In it I describe the insults and abuse I experienced at my parents hands. Then I wrote over the top of it with a red pen/marker the truth of what God says about me. This idea that God’s truth overshadows the darkness and destruction of this world.
Tammy Jo-such good talking to your soul! “you have a choice you can focus on the fear, go deeper into the pit of despair or you can turn and trust that God is at work”
I’m so loving how you are supporting one another. This is my time with family at my home so I’m a bit MIA, but still reading!
Dee, Yay for family at home! It looks like you are enjoying them and they you. What a sweet blessing.
It is Rebecca. Thank you.
Enjoy your family time, Dee. Love your photos on Facebook of their smiling faces! How many people are in your house right now?
I think this song fills the request of question 4.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yw9Fp6XWq7w
I must admit though as I did research (I didn’t know a song that was the end of a Lament.) I came across this song that was a favorite of mine for a while. A funny note is that when I shared this on fb a few years ago, a woman reached out to me to explain that God doesn’t slay us. 😉 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY
Though You Slay Me by Shane & Shane
I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who’s broken
The one who’s torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I’ll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Though tonight I’m crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You’re still all that I need
You’re enough for me
You’re enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
5. Job 19:17-27. A. The pictures Job uses to tell God about his woes….
The physical changes that came with stress, like bad breath, loathsome sores, losing weight to the point of ‘wasting away’. Relational changes where his wife finds him offensive, his brothers turn away from him, friends turn away, and even children scorn and ridicule him. Then there are the changes in his communion with God. God isn’t answering his prayers, and Job feels God is actually pursuing him to bring him more distress.
B. In Job 19:25-27, what vision is Job given? Find all you can about heaven.He is given a supernatural understanding of the final outcome of all this, in terms of he and God. God will physically stand on the earth. Those who have died will see God with physical eyes. God lives, which to me is an affirmation that He is not just a concept or belief system, but is more real than we are. And Job so looks forward to that, that he says he is yearning for it.
I think this song fills the request of question https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yw9Fp6XWq7w
I must admit though as I did research (I didn’t know a song that was the end of a Lament.) I came across this song that was a favorite of mine for a while. A funny note is that when I shared this on fb a few years ago, a woman reached out to me to explain that God doesn’t slay us. 😉 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY
Though You Slay Me by Shane & Shane
I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who’s broken
The one who’s torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I’ll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Though tonight I’m crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You’re still all that I need
You’re enough for me
You’re enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Wonderful contemporary lament song, Tammy Jo. Does the Lord ever slay us? Hmmm — interesting theological question. It is our sin that causes death — He threw out a lifeline so we might be saved. The verse is right from Job. And I think sometimes He does take the life of a believer for his broad focus lens, as in Ananias and Sapphira — interesting to ponder.
In the book of Daniel, the three faced with the fiery furnace said that God could deliver them from it, but that even if He didn’t, they still wouldn’t worship a false god. If God hadn’t delivered them the way He did, would their deaths be God slaying them?
Well I can get into a debate with myself, I mean the suffering Job was going through came from the enemy’s hands but it first had to be approved by the Lord, so although it was not by God’s hand, God still allowed it, and is there a difference between God allowing and God doing, well at least for me it is more palatable to think of it as God allowing but is it really that different?
1. Great is thy Faithfulness is a favorite hymn of mine, but I never pictured the scene of despair that the people were experiencing when they lost their city of Jerusalem and were suffering so severely. For when I think of God’s mercies that are new every morning, I don’t think of suffering and despair. Jeremiah lamented, but remembered that God could be trusted, and that new mercies would come in the morning. Yes, God is still in control.
2. I have experienced many depressing times and felt at the end of myself, yet I have never felt there is no hope. I always had strong faith and would read God’s word. Sometimes I was down and did not feel like praying, but I never felt alone and without hope. I am thankful for God’s presence through hard times.
3. Chapter 6: Mark says that lament helps us to rehearse biblical truth. Chapter 3 of Lamentations is the climax of the book. After the introduction which is dark and hopeless, the second part of the chapter shows trust.
Sunday:
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you? – Until this study I really didn’t know what Lamentations meant or even how we could use them to our benefit, so I would have say that I found out today. These two small verses are so powerful. They tell who Jesus is and what he is all about. He is love, he has love for us and he is always faithful to us. We have nothing to worry about if we have given our lives to him and faithfully do His Word.
2. Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart. – I had to tell myself this quite often as I raised two young boys on my own since I really didn’t have much help from their father. I was at my lowest and cried many nights that I couldn’t do it, but then God gave me a glimmer of hope, and I was ok again, until the enemy put doubt in my mind again. It was like a roller coaster for a bit until I decided to fight back with all I had. God’s constant glimmers of hope helped me get to where I am today. A much stronger, trusting woman who knows that even though I feel beaten up, God will pull through because he has done it many times in my past.
3. Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you. – I love that lament is transformative. We can cry out because we have lost hope at that moment, but biblical lament helps us turn our hearts and mind right back to God. We can see despair in front of us, but deep down in our hearts we can pull out the hope we know that only is given to us by God.
“I love that lament is transformative.” Yes.
Julie, my heart resonates with your saying, “we can see despair in front of us, but deep down in our hearts we can pull out the hope we know that only is given to us by God.” Makes me think the verses that say hope that is seen is no hope at all; that it is when we can’t see something that we need hope.
Monday: Some of Our Best Songs Follow Laments
Great is Thy Faithfulness is based on the hope that follows Jeremiah’s lament.
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth is based on the hope that follows Job’s lament.
4. Can you think of any other well-known hymns or songs that are the end of a lament? – I don’t know how well known this song is, or if this song fits our end of lament, but I think this is a great reminder of what we need to do each and every time we fail or feel hopeless. Zach Williams To The Table, (Live from Harding Prison) speaks to me so much when I’m hurting. https://www.bing.com/search?q=zach+williams+to+the+table+live+at+prison&cvid=2f1753e1b6af4a14b96fdd220c44347e&pglt=43&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=LCTS
There are so many parallels between Job 19 and Lamentations 3!
The opening of Lamentations 3 so reminds me of Job and his laments – he said very similar things, yet at the close, we have what Handel put to music: “I know my Redeemer liveth!”
5. Read Job 19:17-27
A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes? – vs 19, “All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.” vs 20 “I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth”
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven! – in verse 25 he knows that God will stand upon the earth and in verse 26 I think he is saying that once he is dead, though is skin will be destroyed, in his flesh he will see God. It seems that this is saying he will have a new body? and in verse 27 he knows he will see God again with his own eyes.
6. Read Lamentations 3:1-20
A. Find at least 3 pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrow. – verse 1 he is saying that he has seen affliction by the rod of God’s wrath. Verse 3 he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long. verse 14 I have became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long”
B. Do any of these remind you of Job? – These all remind me of what Job went through. He was afflicted by God in every way, he lost everything including his family. He cried out to God over and over, but felt that he was not being heard. His friends made fun of him for not going against God, and because he continued to believe in the Lord.
C. Do any of these remind you of Jesus? – Oh my goodness, until you put this question there I didn’t even think about that, but all of them are what Jesus went through and felt. He felt isolated from God and was turned away and mocked. He was definitely afflicted because of our sins.
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them? – He brings to mind what God has done for him in the past. It’s important we do this, or we will just stay and wallow in our pain and suffering instead of turning to the Lord and knowing that he is faithful and true to His Word.
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow? – As a believer, our hope is in Christ. Our life is in hands, (as Kathy Troccoli’s song says). Jesus took our sorrow and pain at the cross. There is no pain or sorrow when we know Jesus. There is laughter and joy for us. Our trust has to be in Jesus to have our sorrow removed. Jeremiah 31.12 “They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord–the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.” We have been promised joy and no more sorrow.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain. – They are new every morning. I believe that each morning as we wake is a gift from God as we are not promised tomorrow. I get up and try to remember to say good morning Lord first thing. We are each given another chance to do life the way God has instructed us to. We can take that day and run with it to the Lord to bless, or we can stay in yesterday’s pain and sorrow and be miserable. God gives a new, fresh start to be who He wants us to be. I need to take that chance and please him.
D. What does verse 24 mean? – “I say to myself, “”The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”” I think this means that before we even start our day the way we think it should be started, we need to wait for the Lord to lead us. We don’t need our thoughts or plans mixed in with God’s. He will give just what we need to get through each day on it’s own. He is all I need, he will supply me with my daily bread.
Julie, what an amazing song and testimony by Zach Williams! Thank you for sharing!
Julie,
Such a powerful song by Zach Williams, especially in that setting.
Thank you.
Julie, I like your comment about Kathy Troccoli’s song, Our life is in his hands! Yes, it is.
6. Read Lamentations 3:1-20
A. Find at least 3 pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrow. Old skin and flesh, broken bones, Dragged and mangled, Heart pierced with an arrow
B. Do any of these remind you of Job?
Yes
C. Do any of these remind you of Jesus?
Yes, Jesus on his way to Calvary and on the cross
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them?
He calls to mind the promise of God. We take our souls in hand and speak truth to them to reorient ourselves to whose we are.
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
Because God loves me. Jesus took my sorrows to the cross so I would not have to be consumed by my sorrow anymore. He has given me the Holy Spirit to be my moment to moment comforter.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain.
His mercies are new every morning. Yes. I experience His mercies every morning especially when my yesterdays are full of mistakes or idolatries. Every day is another opportunity in the Lord to walk with Him and to trust Him.
Yes, Bing, every day is another opportunity in the Lord to walk with him…
6. Lamentations 3:1-20. A. Pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrows.
That everything has become dark. There is physical decay. Jeremiah can find no escape. God is not answering his prayers. He is unable to find his way.
B. Any that remind you of Job?
Feeling targeted by God, people mocking him, God not answering his prayers.
C. Any remind you of Jesus?
Being surrounded by mockers, God turning away from Him, and when Jeremiah talked about bitterness and gall.
7. Lamentations 3:21-24. A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take your soul in hand and speak truth to it?
Jeremiah purposely reminds himself of God, which brings hope. On our own, we just spiral further down. Only by recalling God’s truth does the trajectory change.
B. Why is a believer not consumed by sorrow? Because God loves greatly and is compassionate. His faithfulness to us never runs out.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true?
The verse says they are new every morning, but I know they are there regardless of the time of day. It has to be a literary device to say that God keeps pumping mercy out for us. D. What does verse 24 mean? By saying ‘the Lord is my portion’, I think it is saying that the Lord is Jeremiah’s inheritance. He is what will be coming to Jeremiah in the end, and to each one who trusts in God for salvation. Because of that, I can endure now. Someone gave an illustration once of offering small children a dime now, or waiting for an hour for a dollar later. Most children, because of their immaturity, will take the dime. They can see it now, and they aren’t sure they can trust you to give them the dollar later. The point was that in this life, we are often in the position to have that same offer extended to us. It generally isn’t money, but it always has to do with trusting God to give us something better later by passing up something now that looks good to us. We may be asked to pass up a care free life in order to gain God’s commendation and blessings in eternity. Ironically, if we go for what we can see and grasp now, we cannot keep it. But if we go for what we cannot see now, we gain what has immeasurable value and lasts forever.
Mary, I just so appreciate your insight…you always challenge and encourage me!
I am at the beach and extremely distracted by family this week. I am trying to keep in the study, it’s just difficult to find 5 min. by myself without babies (it’s 4 am right now!) I love reading all the answers and not posting! I haven’t gotten to do much of that this summer. It’s been a long, tiresome summer for me. Ready to get back to school (at least for babies to be back at school, not me!). Also ready for life to be more normal than it is. Because I don’t go out much, or see many friends, no church etc., I forget things are “weird” on the outside world. I am learning so much about lament and Lamentations!
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
I didn’t know Lamentations really before this study so I can’t really comment here. I need to learn!
2. Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
Yes, I argue very well with God. I usually end up saying things where I am actually talking to God more like He is there in front of me. “You’re just going to tell me that I will make it through,” “Of course I know You are working on things,” etc.
3. Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
It’s amazing to me that people could figure out the cadence of this book! This whole “acrostic” stuff eludes me. I don’t know Hebrew… Then, apparently, chapter 3 Turns into a triple acrostic! Wow.
Lamentations 1-20 depicts darkness and no hope. Lamentations 21-66 turns around and there is trust in God’s providence.
Oh Laura — how old are they now?
They are 3 and 4 now Dee! Cooper will be 5 in November. Can’t believe it…
Hats off to you, my friend.
Oh, Laura. I noticed you had not been posting. Enjoy your time at the beach! You so deserve a break! Breathe deeply and relax a bit. When does school start for you?
School starts August 27 for me. Aug 31 for kids.
4. Can you think of any other well-known hymns or songs that are the end of a lament?
Would this be one? To God be the Glory:
To God be the glory, great things He hath done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them?
So that we don’t lose hope. So that our sorrows don’t consume us and so that we don’t turn to others or things to fulfill us.
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
Because Jesus is our healer, the compassionate lover of our souls. His kindness and mercy are always present for He is with us and in us our all in all. So we can turn to Him always.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain.
Daily, minute by minute. He is comforting me and healing my wounds as I go through this sin done against me, but when I sin against God and another – He heals me, frees me from the weight of the sin and restores me. I experience such an undeserved kindness and compassion, and He makes me new..gives me a fresh start.
D. What does verse 24 mean?
He is my source of real joy and true happiness; and everything I am and have is because of Him. He is my satisfaction and nothing on this earth can satisfy.
5. Read Job 19:17-27
A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes?
His breath is repulsive, he is skin and bones, he is rejected by his wife, children, and friends. He anticipates his body being decayed.
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven!
He (God) will stand upon Earth (as heaven). Job will see Him (without his body since it decayed).
6. Read Lamentations 3:1-20
A. Find at least 3 pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrow.
He is in darkness. His skin and flesh are old and his bones are broken. He is bound in heavy chains. Arrows have been shot deep into his heart. He has a bitter cup of sorrow to drink. He believes he has had to chew on gravel.
B. Do any of these remind you of Job?
yes! The body stuff.
C. Do any of these remind you of Jesus?
Yes! The bitter cup to drink!
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21?
Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them?
Jeremiah turns from complaining to trusting in God. “Yet…”
I guess because someone has to? Otherwise we are plagued by the struggle.
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
He realizes that God is his inheritance and that makes him hopeful.
C. How often are His mercies new?
Every morning.
Have you found this to be true? Explain.
Yes. I get a fresh start everyday, a new chance when I make mistakes. It is a good thing.
D. What does verse 24 mean?
I think it means that one day we will be with Him so we have that to look forward to.
5. Read Job 19:17-27
A. What are some of the pictures Job gives God of his woes?
• Job depicts being despised by wife, sibling and even young children and intimate friends.
• He describes himself as being skin and bones “for the hand of God has touched me”.
• He wants his words of his defense to be written down or even engraved in rock.
B. In Job 25-27, what vision is Job given? (This is amazing for Job lived in the time of Genesis.) Find everything you can about heaven!
I am not sure if you mean chapters 25-27 or Job 19:25-27 in your question, so I will try to do both.
Here are the descriptions of God in Job 19:25-27
God is Redeemer. This is the same word as kinsman-redeemer in Old Testament, one who had the rights and responsibility of vindicating a family member, to buy back a family member who was in slavery perhaps, or, as in the case of Boaz and Ruth, pay a debt to rescue a family member from poverty.
God lives. One day He will stand on the earth. Job will see God in his physical body.
In chapters 25-27, here are the descriptions of heaven:
God makes peace in his high heaven. (25:2)
He has innumerable armies at his disposal. (25:3)
The pillars of heaven tremble at his rebuke. (26:11)
Diane, a totally new thought for me that when a Job uses the word ‘redeemer’, it has all those other tie ins and richness of meaning. I will be pondering on that all day!!
Beautiful, Diane.
Diane,
“The same word as kinsman redeemer.”
I didnt know this.
Thanks you.
Wow-Diane! I love that of the word Redeemer as the same word as kinsman-redeemer! Buying me back as a family member from slavery. Oh, tears of gratitude!
Tuesday: No Hope — Dare To Hope
8. In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, chapter 6, read the section “No Hope” and share what stands out to you. – Loved the reminder that no matter where I’m at in my trial, my struggle, pain or sorrow, God is right there with me. He is as low as he needs to be to meet me where I’m at in that moment.
9. Now read “You Have Taken Up My Cause” and share the main point. – He is making sure we know that, though we hurt and feel like there is no hope left in our situation, we need to move on from that. We need to get our strength back and start fighting our negative thoughts and turn them to thoughts of knowing just who God is and trust that he will lead us on to victory.
10. Bring to mind one time when God “took up your cause.” – I had someone dragging my name through the mud. I was exhausted from the struggle and felt alone, wondering how I was going to make others see the truth about me. But it wasn’t going to be me who set the record straight. It was God. He placed my cousin, unknowingly to me, right where this person was bad mouthing me and God used her to stand in the gap and contradict what this person was saying. I would never have been able to do that, I do not like confrontation of any kind and will back away and stay quiet. It was God who took up my cause and made things right again.
11. Read “Dare to Hope”
A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament? – Because it is turning his mind, his thoughts back to what he knows to be true of God and his character. He’s recalling what God has done in the past and what His Word says to be true.
B. Share a time you had to trust before you knew God would meet you. – For me the time I needed to really trust God the most and not know what the outcome would be, was when my oldest son Kyle was in the service and doing a tour in Afghanistan. I prayed daily for his safety and for him to return home alive. I had no idea what would happen to him. He was so far away and the control of the situation was not in my hands at all. There were 3 instances that could have gone bad, 2 that were “that was supposed to be me in that truck mom” and the 3rd was a time when he was in the truck on patrol and ran over an IED that blew up under his seat. I received that dreaded call from the Army saying he was in the hospital with a possible traumatic brain injury and back issues. BUT GOD…He spared his live again that time. I later found out that the IED he ran over was in a river bed that deaden the explosive. His back is still messed up, but he is alive. Thank you Lord for helping me to trust you completely with Kyle’s life.
C. What do you learn from the Tim Keller quote or anything else in this section? – I do believe that we have a constant mind battle with our thoughts. Who do we really believe or what do we really believe. We need to always, always always, believe the report of the Lord, HIS WORD. Though this is definitely not easy for me to do all the time, I’m finding myself turning away from the negativity quicker and getting my mind right with God’s Word a lot faster these days. I also liked the quote from Nicholas Wolterstorff “Faith is a footbridge that you don’t know will hold you up over the chasm until you’re forced to walk out onto it.” Wow this reminds me of the times I freak out when I have to walk over a bridge and the sidewalk is just a big grate. UGH I do not like that. I need to trust God in these times.
A. What does verse 24 mean?
“The Lord is my portion; I will wait for him.”
Visions of my Mom fixing my favorite food when I was sick came to mind when I read this. She just knew how to fix it a certain way because she knows what I like and what is best for me. I always waited for her food rather than just having a similar thing bought at the store or restaurant. And I remember the satisfaction and contentment I felt after eating the food she prepared just for me.
When I wait on the Lord, my portion would be the best-His will, in His way, at His timing and Himself! Is there a better thing? Oh, only if I just learn to wait!
Bing, what a rich and comforting image! Thank you!
8. The section on No Hope. What stands out?
“The weary uncertainty of God’s purposes”, how we can get stuck thinking that we have to approve it before God can do it; the wanting to be judge over God; the fear that He will do something not to our liking. When Mark said, “the good news is that if you’re at the bottom, God can meet you there…” made me remember Betsy Ten Boom saying, “there is no pit so deep that God isn’t deeper still.” I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of God’s people who went through really terrible times, wondering if I would be able to do as well as they did. I want so very much to cling to Him regardless of what He brings me to.
9. You have taken up my cause… the main point.
Just as Jeremiah had a perspective change even though the circumstances didn’t change, we need, and can, have a similar change no matter what we face.
10. Is there a time God ‘took up your cause?’ Before I was a Christian I both sought Him and fought Him. I knew I needed Him, and even wanted Him, but had bought the lies of Satan that God would never accept me. The day I quit fighting, knelt down (both literally and figuratively), and gave it all to Him, nothing in my life changed. But I knew from that moment on that He had accepted me and would never leave me. There have been, and continue to be struggles since, but even when I cannot hear or see Him, I know He is there. I was reading Max Lucado today, and he wrote, quoting something found on the wall of a concentration camp:
I believe in the sun even though it doesn’t shine.
I believe in love even when it isn’t shown.
I believe in God even when He doesn’t speak.
5. A. Job 19 : Pictures of his woes- My breath is offensive; I am nothing but skin and bones; Even the little boys scorn me.
B. Job 26 : Job envisions God’s creation- He suspends the earth over nothing; He spreads out the skies. He is describing the universe!
6. A. Lamentations 3 : Jeremiah’s pictures of his sorrows- Verse 4 He has made my skin and my flesh grow old, v. 12 He made me the target for his arrows, verse 13 He pierced my heart, verse14 I became the laughing stock of all my people
B. Jeremiah and Job both describe their appearance as skin and flesh, as well as being humiliated with scorn and being the laughing stock…
C. Yes, Jeremiah says he pierced by heart, and this reminds me of Jesus’ crucifixion.
7. Lamentations 3:21-24 He calls to mind and therefore I have hope.This is pivotal because in spite of all the terrible things, he remembers who God is. So he has hope.
11. Dare to hope. A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament?
Jeremiah chooses belief over feelings or appearances or circumstances. That word ‘chooses’ is so terribly important. We have to choose God over everything else, and if we think we are just vacillating on it, not choosing is in itself, a choice.
B. Share a time you had to trust before you knew God would meet you. Two come to mind. The first was our marriage white water. When I realized just how bad it was, my spirit turned immediately to Him, springing into His arms. I didn’t know what was going to come of it. There were no guarantees. And now, with the US so deeply divided, are we seeing the end of the life we’ve always had here? I don’t know what will happen politically or financially or even to my safety in my home. But He knows, and I choose to trust Him. Not that everything will be OK, or go back to ‘normal’, but that He will help me deal with whatever comes.
C. What do you learn from the Tim Keller quote, or anything else in the section?
It is so good to use the question, ‘was that the best thing to put so much hope in?’ It isn’t easy or fun to realize you’ve placed hope where you shouldn’t. We get so many flaming arrows from the evil one, just like Mark said, ‘questioning God’s goodness.’ Years ago, when my children were adolescents, I had a time when I was extremely burdened for their safety and the safety of some of their closest friends. I paced the floor at night, afraid for them. What if God let them be harmed? How could I trust Him if He did that? Would I still say He was a good God if the worst happened? I don’t know how to explain the resolution of that time. I guess He helped me make the choice to believe in His character, even if circumstances in the lives of my children looked like He hadn’t shown up. I know some of you have had to face the worst. My heart bleeds for you, because pain is pain is pain. But like Job came to, God is good, regardless. I really liked when Mark said that bringing to mind the important truths about God stops even the noise in our heads.
Monday:
5) A) His family can barely put up with having him around.
He’s a laughingstock for little kids and they bully him.
He is isolated from companionship and has no compassionate ear to hear him out.
His health and his appearance are of the dregs.
B) As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:25-27).
– Job has a vision of Christ reigning on the earth at His second coming. It appears that Job is aware that he will rise up out of the grave in his new body to see Christ for Himself.
6) A) Jeremiah: Surely against me He has turned His hand (Lamentations 3:3).
He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away. He has broken my bones (Lamentations 3:4).
In dark places He had made me dwell,
Like those who have long been dead.
He has walled me in so that I cannot go out,
He has made my chain heavy (Lamentations 3:6-7)
I have become a laughingstock to all my people,
Their mocking song all day (Lamentations 3:14).
B) Job: He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away.
I have become a laughingstock to all my people,
Their mocking song all day.
C) Jesus: Surely against me He has turned His hand.
I have become a laughingstock to all my people,
Their mocking song all the day.
7) A) This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope (Lamentations 3:21).
Speaking God’s truth to ourselves is what will restore our hope over and above what our circumstances may look like at present.
B) We are not consumed by sorrow because we have Christ’s victory and we know that He has overcome this world and our circumstances. We are not consumed because His compassions never fail us.
C) They are new every morning if you devote time and attention during the day to receive from His Spirit. If you turn to Him to receive them, then yes, you do receive them.
D) This verse means that God has His portion of Himself waiting for me to be satisfied and contented with. I will always be fed or supplied from what He gives of Himself to me when I present myself to receive it.
Very solid answers.
8. In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, chapter 6, read the section “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
The grief of the moment is relentless-so true. Jeremiah has reached the bottom. He is experiencing the hopelessness of grief and uncertainness of God’s purposes. It stood out when I read when we hit rock bottom God goes there with us to meet us there. YES He is.
9. Now read “You Have Taken Up My Cause” and share the main point.
The perspective changes..While He is still there honest Jeremiah is with his pain he doesn’t stay there. The circumstance is still there but his lament changes.
11. Read “Dare to Hope”
A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament?
Jeremiah calls to mind and draws from the center of what he believes. He uses his theology and what he believes as his basis for hope. The shift toward bold requests and choosing to trust. Lament dares to hope while life is hard. Lament is a prayer of faith despite my fear. It comes from what I know to be true despite the situation that comes to me.
What stood out? When the discouraging thoughts come which is daily, I have to fight to reorient my heart again and again..rehearse what I know to be true, recite what i believe. Lament can help by rehearsing the truth of the bible to interpret pain through His character and His ultimate mercy.
Rebecca — so often it seems to me He allows His finest to go through the fire.
12. Read Lamentations 3:20-24 very slowly and find a nugget of gold to remember. Ponder and apply. This is a rich text.
The Lord is my portion..It blows me away that Jesus gave up His portion on the cross so that God could be my portion, steadfast, faithful, new every morning-when my heart fails and it does pretty much daily-he enters into it and strengthens me. Even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea..the Lord is with me, my portion, my fortress.
That is also the word that I am meditating on this week…The Lord is my Portion, Inheritance, Reward. I agree, Rebecca….”blows me away” That thought is too high for me, I can’t attain it. I wait silently on Him to reveal Himself in His Word.
Becky C, So good to wait silently on Him to reveal Himself in His Word. He is so faithful to quicken us.
My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my life and my portion forever. Psalm 73:6
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9
If I remember right, a few years ago here on the blog we talked about this “holy exchange” ~ I’m still learning how to trade my weakness for His strength.
Nila, what a great Psalm to remind us of!
Nila, I love how you connected Him being our portion and strength in Psalm 73 with trading my weakness for His strength. That is huge. I am with you in the learning.
8. In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, chapter 6, read the section “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
There is a point where Jeremiah almost has given up. The pastor asks if I have ever felt that way, where there is no hope. I have. I cannot seem to give up a continual battle with myself. I am consumed by it always.
The suffering has become personal to Jeremiah, and overwhelming. He has reached the bottom.
If you’re at the bottom, God can meet you there.
Ask the question, “how can my perspective change?”
9. Now read “You Have Taken Up My Cause” and share the main point.
Lamentations 3:21 is the turning point. It is where Jeremiah decides to remember the ways God has helped him (and others) in the past. It is the critical point between the complaint and the turn just like Psalms.
Lament dares to hope in the midst of suffering.
We learn to walk by faith.
10. Bring to mind one time when God “took up your cause.”
11. Read “Dare to Hope”
A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament?
Jeremiah uses the word “but,” and turns to remember how God has helped in the past.
B. Share a time you had to trust before you knew God would meet you.
Right now, with the grandkids we are raising. We don’t know how this will play out in the future. We can only hope that it turns out okay.
C. What do you learn from the Tim Keller quote or anything else in this section?
I need to purposefully go to God when I am feeling hopeless. I need to step out on the footbridge of faith even when I’m not sure it will hold me.
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them?
When we remember the Lord’s steadfast love and mercy regardless of how we feel or what we have done, then we can hope. But this is only hope if we believe God and His Word is Truth. Since my son started to outwardly question the truth of whether or not there is a God and whether the Bible is true, it has made me question what I believe and realize that if I don’t have God and his Word then there is no reason to hope at all. It helps me understand why those without God are so filled with either despair, or cynicism and skepticism; and give way to all kinds of darkness in their lives.
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
We have hope. The darkness cannot eat us alive. We have Christ in us, the hope of glory. We will have sorrow here but eternity is coming when all tears will be wiped away.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain.
His mercies are new every morning. Yes. God still loves me this morning. He doesn’t change. He gives me strength to try again, even if I have failed yesterday.
D. What does verse 24 mean?
The Lord is my portion. If we think this world is all there is then, when we don’t get the ‘things’ we want here on earth, we get angry or despair. Even if we do get much that the world offers, it is never enough. We were meant for more. More than material things. We cannot be satisfied here on earth, because we are designed for eternity. If we believe that the Lord is enough for us and eternity is in our heart, we can wait and trust. We can focus on him and his wonders, his care for us, his purposes, his promises. He is enough.
This is hard to remember and we need to remind ourselves daily, hourly. ‘But this I call to mind an therefore I have hope.’
Diane, It is hard to remember for me too. We are in an hourly, daily battle this side of heaven. I often need to talk to my soul more than I listen to it (Tim Keller and Dee have taught me this.) Thank you for your words here, Diane.
This is hard to remember and we need to remind ourselves daily, hourly. ‘But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.’
Diane, so rich, when you said, “we were meant for more than material things. We are designed for eternity.” It is pretty short sighted of us to look for and settle on the things here that can’t last, isn’t it?
12. Lamentations 3:20-24, a nugget of gold.
Jeremiah remembers his pain in verse 20, and it isn’t like it goes away when he finds hope in God. But it is that same shift in focus we talked about earlier. Before, pain was in sharp focus and God was blurry. Now God is in sharp focus and the pain is blurred.
13. Lamentations 3:25-27, rephrasing the sentences.
Good is the Lord to those who hope in Him. Good is the Lord to the one who seeks Him. Good it is to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Good it is for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
I feel a little like Yoda here!
14. What are some good ways to respond to God’s discipline in Lamentations 3:28-42?Don’t argue with God, vs 28. Humble yourself in it, vs 29. Accept the pain, or even the shame, vs 30.
15. How might you do this now?
Lord, it is so hard to not defend myself, even to You. To take what You give without bitterness or arguing or trying to manipulate for my own image. Yet You, O Lord, are the only Wise One. I deserve nothing. Every kindness You give me is totally underserved. You are just in all Your ways, no matter what I see or feel. Your word says we should say, ‘I am only an unworthy servant’. Thank You for allowing me to be Your servant, for I am not even qualified for that.
16. Finding two more laments, asks, and trusts in the rest of Lamentations 3. Laments: vs 42-49 We have sinned and rebelled and You have not forgiven. You have covered Yourself with anger and pursued us. You have slain without pity. You have covered Yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through. You have made us scum and refuse among the nations. All our enemies have opened their mouths wide against us. We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction. Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief…
vs 51-54 What I see brings grief to my soul because of all the women of my city. Those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird. They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me; the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to be cut off. Asking: vs 55-56 I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: do not close Your ears to my cry for relief.
vs 64-66 Pay them back what they deserve, O Lord, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may Your curse be on them. Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord.Trusting: vs 50 until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.vs 57-58 You came near when I called You, and You said, “Do not fear.” O Lord, You took up my case; You redeemed my life.
8. No Hope: In Lamentations 3 it seems as if Jeremiah has hit bottom.Verse 18 “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.” But Mark says, If you’re at the bottom, God can meet you there.
9. You Have Taken Up My Cause: The main point is how has my perspective changed? Jeremiah calls on the Lord. We must call out to the Lord.
10. One time when God took up my cause. I would say this happened when I was giving care to my Mother in her last years. I wondered how I could sustain doing this when I had given up so much and there were many difficulties. But God was with me and provided the means, though I struggled. I was encouraged even when I felt helpless to protect her, as she needed so much and my strength was weak.
11. Dare to Hope:
A. Verse 21 is the pivot point for Jeremiah dared to hope. While life is hard, we choose to hope.
B. I’m not recalling a time like this.
C. Tim Keller says, when our heart says there is no hope, we need to argue back. We need to recall God’s promises and preach to our heart. Yes, to consider God’s character and his mercy.
Such a good testimony about God giving you the strength to care for your Mother.
Wednesday: It is Good
12. Read Lamentations 3:20-24 very slowly and find a nugget of gold to remember. Ponder and apply. This is a rich text.
“I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:”
The phrase “I well remember them” signifies to me that the psalmist went down memory lane and recalled too much grief and pain to the point of being downcast. Isn’t that what happens when we give in to thinking too much of the pain of the past? It has a snowball effect and just becomes bigger. Something has to break the ball from rolling and getting bigger. That something is Someone’s promise-“this I call to mind”. Whenever I start feeling the blues getting a hold of me, I often would sing “Count your blessings and name them one by one”. Then I name them as I write them on a notebook or piece of paper. Often I don’t stop until I feel the blues lift out of my spirit. My circumstance had not changed, but my perspective had.
13. Pastor Mark says that in the Hebrew Lament. 3:25-27 begins with Good — rephrase each of the sentences beginning with Good.
Good is the Lord to those whose hope is in Him
Good it is to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord
Good it is for the man to bear the yoke while he is young.
14. What are some good ways according to Lament. 3:28-42 to respond to the Lord’s discipline?
Sit alone in silence v.28
Bury his face in the dust (to mourn?) v.29
To remember the kindness of God to return vs 30-31
To not complain v.38b
Examine our ways and test them v. 40
To return to Him
To lift our hands and hearts to God and to ask for forgiveness vs.41-42
15. How might you do this now? Pray silently or here.
13. Pastor Mark says that in the Hebrew Lament. 3:25-27 begins with Good — rephrase each of the sentences beginning with Good.
(I loved The Message on this.)
Good to those whose affections are on Him that they continue to seek Him and wait
Good to those who silently wait for help from God
Good to those in their youth who persevere through difficulty (while seeking and waiting on God)
14. What are some good ways according to Lament. 3:28-42 to respond to the Lord’s discipline?
To remember who He is. I found this in The Message also. So good.
– To sit alone and enter into the silence, pray and wait for hope to appear
– Don’t run from trouble the worst is never the worst because God will never walk out and fail to return
– God never takes pleasure in making life hard or throwing roadblocks in the way. He is Just.
-God spoke and it happened..God brings both good and hard things into life so why complain when being disciplined?
-Take a good look at how I am living and re-order my life under God
-Confess to God the truth of my willful sin against Him.
16. Finish Lamentations 3 and find 2 examples each of:
Lament: 44: God has turned His face from us. 48: My eyes are gushing out tears from the destruction of my people
Trusting: 57: God drew me near when I was in the pit crying for help. 58: God has heard my call and redeemed my life
The reason we keep Gratitude Journals, share God Hunts, or rehearse His promises is to prepare for the inevitable storms of life.
17. Share a recent God Hunt or express gratitude here.
I’m grateful for every sister here on the blog and how God has given us a platform where we can encourage and help one another.
18. Finish Chapter 6 (Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed) and share notes and comments.
Lament can awaken me to the truth of God’s Love-His faithful, covenant love.
Waiting is never a waste for my entire confidence will rest on Him. To learn the value of waiting early in life is a beautiful gift. Waiting is not a waste.
Release control of my life and say God I don’t know what you are doing and why but I am going to trust you are God and not me.
The final word hasn’t been spoken. Suffering involves the fear that it won’t end or has no purpose. Suffering isn’t the final word, not victorious. Lament mourns suffering but also hopes in what is yet to come. Suffering has limits an purpose. Everything is working out according to His loving plan for our life.
The pain that causes Lament causes a longing for the future more than anything else so we become thankful for pain. Through tears we can believe the final word hasn’t been spoken.
God is good. He doesn’t enjoy our hardship or pain, rather there are loving purposes behind every tear. We have to believe every part of our life is of His good purpose toward us. Pain has a purpose, God is always good.
Rebecca, you touch my heart. Yes, I too, am grateful for every sister here on the blog. We need one another. I feel this especially during these months when I have had difficulty with not being in close contact with family and friends.
11. Read “Dare to Hope”.
A. Why is verse 21 the pivot point in this lament?
It is the ‘footbridge’ of faith over his chasm of his fears and circumstances. He shifts to choosing to trust and to bold requests.
B. Share a time you had to trust before you knew God would meet you.
Many years ago, my husband and I were taking steps toward going to Kenya for him to teach at a Bible seminary. Our children were yet quite small and there were a lot of unknowns in the mix and a fair amount of risk. I was filled with fears. One night he and I had a long, heated discussion about continuing on that path. I admitted my fears and my not ‘wanting’ to go. It seemed that confessing my fear was what God wanted me to do in order to still my fainting heart and reassure me that it was ‘alright’, that I could trust him. From that point, we continued to walk forward and did go to Kenya for three years. My fears and the risks had not changed, but I was able to put my hand into God’s hand and go step by step – not perfectly, but in faith. It was not an easy three years, but God walked with us and we have wonderful memories and met many wonderful children of God.
C. What do you learn from the Tim Keller quote or anything else in this section?
‘You live through suffering by what you believe, not by what you see or feel.’
Diane–your answer to B just made my eyes tear up. What an example of trusting before you could see, and of submitting to Aubry’s leading. Truly walking by faith and not sight. But I love how your honest cry, admitting that you were afraid, was the key to God giving you the strength to follow, and have courage amidst your concerns. Such a good example.
Diane — I feel as Lizzy expressed.
17. Recent God hunt or gratitude.
I caught myself thinking this had to be big, but does it really? I’m grateful for the sky in all it’s beauty, no matter the hour or the weather. I’m grateful for the flowers in my yard, and that when I posted pictures of them I heard from a friend for the first time in months. I’m grateful to have comfortable shelter – I don’t have to live in a tent! And it goes on and on….
18. Finishing the chapter.
Hesed, the ultimate hope in God’s ability to keep being God. That is both so comforting and safe. We endure because divine mercy is never exhausted. We want to know the point, to understand what is going on. The Lord desires to teach us and those lessons often come slowly, after we’ve stopped trying and are broken and ready for Him to lead us. These gleanings are simultaneously hard and affirming.
Mary B–love your God hunts! Especially how posting your pictures of flowers led to an old friend contacting you…how sweet of God to do that. You reminded me of the birds my husband and I just watched from our screen porch. We watched several “couples” fly from our trees to the bird feeder, precious reminder of hos He cares for us
12. Read Lamentations 3:20-24 very slowly and find a nugget of gold to remember. Ponder and apply. This is a rich text.
“…His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
13. Pastor Mark says that in the Hebrew Lament. 3:25-27 begins with Good — rephrase each of the sentences beginning with Good.
Good…depending on God.
Good…waiting on God.
Good…submitting early to God.
14. What are some good ways according to Lament. 3:28-42 to respond to the Lord’s discipline?
Sitting quietly, turn the other cheek, accept insults, test and examine ourselves, turn back to the Lord, lift our hearts and hands and admit our rebellion.
15. How might you do this now? Pray silently or here.
16. Finish Lamentations 3 and find 2 examples each of:
Lament
““You have engulfed us with your anger, chased us down, and slaughtered us without mercy.”
Lamentations 3:43 NLT
Asking questions
I didn’t find a question in the 3 different texts I reviewed, however I can see where this verse could be made into a question:
“Pay them back, Lord, for all the evil they have done.”
Lamentations 3:64 NLT
Like this….
Please oh Lord, would You pay them back?
Trusting
“Lord, you have come to my defense; you have redeemed my life.”
Lamentations 3:58 NLT
Thursday: Hope Springs From Truth Rehearsed
The reason we keep Gratitude Journals, share God Hunts, or rehearse His promises is to prepare for the inevitable storms of life.
17. Share a recent God Hunt or express gratitude here. – I know that people can only be changed by the power of the Lord. I can tell someone something and they may listen, but they don’t really hear what I’m saying, but recently two things have happened that I only know is God changing hearts. My one daughter in law and step son hadn’t talked to us for 2 years, they got married and we were not invited, but since then they have been coming around our house, participating in family gatherings and talking about what’s to come in the future, (they want to get a house and move out of her mom’s house and asking us about when we might move to Tennessee) I know this is a big bonus for my husband, and I’m glad to see that things are changing between us. The other God Hunt is that my youngest son has been dating a young lady who seemed to be very distant, but again, only God, she has been messaging me things to just talk or tell me things that are happening and I’m so glad that I can see that hearts are changing since my son is going to ask her to marry him this weekend. I just want family to be close and of course there will be differences at times, but I can see that my prayer request to God to make all things right with all our kids and their families is definitely being heard. Thank you Lord for keeping my circle intact.
18. Finish Chapter 6 (Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed) and share notes and comments. – I loved the explanation of the 4 truths of Lament, 1. God’s mercy never ends. 2. Waiting is not a waste. 3. The final word has not been spoken and 4. God is always good. These were so eye opening for me. Though I struggle I can keep these truths in my heart and mind and know that it will be ok. Every thing that God allows to happen to me is in his major plan for my life. WOW, Waiting is hard, but the lessons I can get from it, if I’m open and honest to myself will be a great reward. The poem he wrote when Sylvia died is amazing and the prayer he says when he can’t fall asleep is a great way to reach out to the Lord with what really is in our minds.
16. Finish Lamentations 3 and find 2 examples each of:
Lament
You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.
You have made us scum and refuse among the nations.
Asking questions
v.37 Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
v.38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
Trusting
You came near when I called you, and you said, “do not fear.”
You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.
Thursday: Hope Springs From Truth Rehearsed
The reason we keep Gratitude Journals, share God Hunts or rehearse His promises is to prepare for the inevitable storms of life.
17. Share a recent God Hunt or express gratitude here.
I am not the most tech-savvy person and this year we are starting a new learning system that I have been apprehensive about. Yesterday was our first day back at the Tech School and I was bracing myself for a busy day. Somebody here shared that every time she wakes up, she starts the day by saying, “Today, I choose to trust you, Lord.” I have been doing that since then and today was no different. I sensed a peace coming to me. The tech person in charge was in our building and was free to help me! He knew his way around the learning system and gave me all the shortcuts! God has done more than I can ask or imagine. He has used somebody to help me with what He has called me to do as a teacher. Thank you, Lord!
18. Finish Chapter 6 (Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed) and share notes and comments.
In lament we reaffirm what we believe. God’s mercy never ends, waiting is not a waste, the final word has not been spoken, and God is always good.
I was so touched by the poem that Mark wrote in remembrance of Sylvia.
To hope again, and again. This I must do. Rehearse the truth. This I must do.
I love your God hunt, Bing. I am so glad you had that tech help. It is such a challenge to all our teachers with this new way of learning. God knows your need.
1. When did you realize that Lamentations 3:22-23 was the end of a lament? What does this tell you?
I realized this just….two days ago! I read through the book of Lamentations. The first two chapters are more of a “group” lament, talking about Jerusalem and God’s people in general. Then I noticed that beginning in chapter 3, it zooms in to the personal experience of the writer, with the pronouns “I” and “me”. Then in verse 21 I saw “the turn”, “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:” and then goes on to talk about the Lord’s unfailing love, mercy, and faithfulness. I think this told me that while sometimes I lament generally about trials and problems, I need to be honest about how I feel, how it is affecting me, how I am afraid, or disappointed, or sad, or losing hope, and tell that to God. I also see that the writer took a long time to really lament over the state of affairs in Jerusalem and Judah and then his own feelings. It kind of surprised me that after saying things like “though I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayers” and “He bent his bow and aimed it squarely at me” that he can still turn and say that God is good, that He loves me, and that it is good to endure this kind of discipline. That’s faith.
2. Tim Keller says that when our hearts say: “There is no hope!” We should argue back. Was there a time you did this? If so, share what you told your heart.
I noticed that many of you here shared your struggles with depression, like Diane and Mary. I do, too. Not the kind that keeps me lying in bed all day, but I do have some of those signs of it when you look at the signs and symptoms of depression. I believe I am still grieving for my parents, especially the recent passing of my dad, I am grieving much in the same way a man or woman might do at losing a full-time job/career that they absolutely loved – mine was being a mom and all that comes with raising children. I have been feeling very stuck in life and unsure of what to do with myself. Many if not most mornings I wake up and the ‘tapes’ start playing in my mind….past sins, past and not so past failures, what a terrible person I am, I have no purpose or meaning in my life, the future looks bleak, things in my marriage will never improve, and on and on. So this has been an almost daily battle. I tell myself things like God sticks with me. Even though I was far from perfect, He still reached out to me to bring me to Himself. There is always a glimmer of hope with God in the picture. He won’t give up on me.
3. Read the opening of Chapter 6 in Dark Clouds up to “No Hope” and share what stands out to you.
Well, the author shares about seeing a painting of a peaceful cottage scene with the verses from Lamentations 3:22-23 below, and says that it misses the point, because in the opening chapters of Lamentations, it describes an utter wasteland of destruction and devastation, death and starvation and killing. Yet despite what Jeremiah is seeing and experiencing, he begins to rehearse the truths that he knows about God in the midst of this. Vroegop writes, “Despite what you see, despite what you feel, despite what you think, lament can be a supply of grace as you affirm that God’s mercies are new every day.” I used to have a cassette tape of John Maxwell’s talk, “Your Attitude, Key to Success”. It’s wonderfully practical and will make you laugh, too. He says, “What you see is what you get.” I know that our minds and thoughts can so powerfully affect us: physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally….in every way when we get into “stinking thinking” (as Leslie Vernick says) we are headed for trouble. The problem for me is, when things are not going well, I get into that downward spiral of stinking thinking.
Susan, thank you for your sharing here about your depression and your grieving. You have had a rough row to hoe. Sometimes the tape in our head can be relentless and cruel – “stinking thinking” as you said. My prayer for you is that you will let God love you and rest in His love. Be easy on yourself. God has a purpose and a good plan for you, though it may not be seen right now.
If, instead of a peaceful cottage, Lamentations 3:22-23 verses are superimposed on the war-torn, desolate landscape that is sometimes our own lives, can we still hope in his steadfast love, his mercies that are new every morning, his faithfulness, and be content with the portion that God has given us? May God, who initiated covenant relationship with us, while we were still sinners, give us a solid hope to do this, even while we are lamenting the sadness and cruelties of life.
Thanks, Diane. That’s a wonderful prayer, to let God love me and to rest in His love.
Susan — the overflow of your heart is so good because of the many good things you put in nit!
Susan, I agree that intrusive and repetitive thoughts are pesky and annoying. Sometimes they go on for a time before I tune in and realize they are happening! What I try to do then is to purposely sing a praise song. It is usually something really simple, a children’s song, so that I don’t have to spend a lot of time choosing or remembering the words. I’ve tried reciting verses, but that seems more like arm wrestling. The singing, even just on the inside, gets me on a different track. At the very worst of my depression, when the thoughts just kept coming, that I wished I were dead, I did go on medication. I was on for about ten years. I am off now, and holding my own, but if you were diabetic you would take insulin. Taking something for brain chemistry is the same.
Mary, thank you for the suggestion to try singing! I am going to try it.
6. Read Lamentations 3:1-20
A. Find at least 3 pictures Jeremiah paints to tell the Lord of his sorrow.
v. 2 “he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light”
v. 7 “he has walled me about so that I cannot escape”
v. 13 “He drove into my kidneys the arrows of his quiver”
B. Do any of these remind you of Job?
Job 19:8 “He has walled up my way, so that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness upon my paths.”
C. Do any of these remind you of Jesus?
Mark 15: 34 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
7. Read Lamentations 3:21-24
A. What does Jeremiah do in verse 21? Why is it important to take our souls in hand and speak truth to them?
Jeremiah remembers. It is likely that what he is remembering is Exodus 34:5-7, words the LORD spoke at Mt. Sinai after the people of Israel had sinned and created a golden calf to worship instead of God. “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty…”
B. Why is the believer not consumed by sorrow?
Because of God’s covenant love, which he initiated, we are not consumed.
C. How often are His mercies new? Have you found this to be true? Explain.
His mercies are new every morning. This reminds me of the old Gaither song, “Hold on my child. Joy comes in the morning. Weeping only lasts for the night. … The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.”
D. What does verse 24 mean?
“The LORD is my portion.” This means being content with having God as more precious, more important than anything or anyone else.
When God gave out land to the 12 tribes of Israel, he gave each tribe and territory, except the priestly tribe of Israel. To them God said, “I am your portion.” In other words, “don’t get attached to land, or other material possessions. Seek me as your most treasured possession.” As a pastor’s wife, who did not own a piece of land or a house until last year, I have pondered the true meaning of having God as my only portion (and not always been content to trust in having no earthly home). I can see how we can be trapped by our possessions (make them our idols), but giving up our “things” for the sake of God, goes against our earthly nature to trust in our possessions to save us. It is a lifelong challenge to give up earthly possessions and allow God to be our only portion.
I see I answered question 7 twice, once the other day. Sorry. Computer problems. (I save each study to a text document and answer it before posting. But this week, I am switching between two computers because my new one is randomly shutting down.) I was not sure which questions I had answered. Nonetheless, the answers are different and perhaps I needed to rethink and ponder these questions again because the Lord has something more to teach me.
#17 Expressions of gratitude: When I read Lam 3:27 I wondered about Jeremiah’s youth. So I went back to the beginning of the Book of Jeremiah and God’s dealings with him as a youth. It gave me pause as I thought about my own children, grandchildren, great grandchildren in their youth especially in today’s world. I am grieved for what they are facing which led me to pray and cry out to God for them. The Holy Spirit broke through my thoughts to remind me of the many prayers He has answered throughout the generations of mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. So in my waiting on Him, I pray that “their faith fail not”.
#18 Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed. He is Great and greatly to be praised and always keeps His Word.
#17 Expressions of gratitude For all the believers that God has caused to cross my path, including saints from centuries ago until this day, I give thanks. Their lives of faith and courage challenge me and encourage me in the faith. The words of Song of Solomon 1:7-8 were strong on my mind this week to remind me of the faithfulness of God in growing us up in all ways in Christ Jesus, our Lord. From my hearts desire to know Him and be fed by Him (vs 7) to His response (vs 8) “…follow in the footsteps of the flock…”,
#18 Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed. I see His hand of mercy and praise Him.
Friday’s #18 and #19. Truths I speak to my soul: I am confident of this, He Who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
Soul, remember God’s faithfulness to hear and answer prayer as we waited, cried, and lamented for your own daughter who had horrible, crippling migraines for over 22 years. remember the back surgery when a cerebral spinal fluid leak was found and patched and those migraines stopped. Remember tracing it back to her epidural for delivery of her first baby, your first grandbaby, that went into the dura causing the leaking of fluid (wet tap) for all those years, all those doctors, all those emergency room visits, all the labeling her as drug seeker, all the loss of time with her children, all those tears and prayers answered. Here, Lord, You are the one Who “gathers all fragments that nothing be lost.” We praise You.
#19 Waiting on the Lord is not a waste. He formed me in all my travail and revealed Himself to me. Thank You, O my Father.
Oh, Becky! How precious and touching to think about the prayers of mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers! We will most likely not know the full impact of our prayers this side of heaven. And then your praise for answered prayer for your daughter! We praise with you….
Oh such a journey for your daughter-in-law and all of you!
18. In your own personal lament, what are some truths you need to speak to yourself? Not really sure. Maybe a kick in the pants to be more active in the waiting. It is hard to steer a boat that is moored. I also need to praise more.
19. A reflection question.
#5). Which of the four heart shaping truths is most applicable to your life now? Why?
Waiting is not a waste. It seems I’ve been here for years without seeing any point or goal in it, or even being able to verbalize anything I’ve learned from it. In my flesh, there is a sense of having been forgotten. Of having been tested and found to be inadequate for God’s service. When Mark said ‘we wait upon the Lord because He is God and we are not,’ that makes sense to me. And oddly enough, though I am sad to be here waiting, I am not upset. I guess I am OK with God’s sovereignty.
12. A nugget of gold in Lamentations3: 20-24
I call to mind and therefore I have hope; Yes, I have hope in the name of the Lord! Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed.
The song is in my head:
There is strength in the name of the Lord,
there is power in the name of the Lord,
there is hope in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
So, as I ponder and apply this portion when there is pain, or loneliness, when relationships are lowly, when friends seem to have turned their backs, when storms come and when fears overwhelm, I will call to mind the Lord’s promises and his great love and I will rejoice! I will sing praise for I know the Lord is good to those whose hope is in him.
13. Rephrase each sentence beginning with Good.
Good comes when our hope is in the Lord. verse 25
Good is the salvation of the Lord and may we wait quietly. verse 26
Good is our reward after bearing our yoke in our youth. verse 27
14. What are some ways to respond to the Lord’s discipline?
1. Sit quietly without complaint.
2. Bury your face!
3 .Offer your cheek to one who would strike you!
4. Allow disgrace to be your teacher.
5. Remember that both calamities and good come from the Lord.
6. Do not complain when the Lord punishes you.
7. Examine all your ways.
8. Repent to the Lord, say when you sin and agree with God that it is sin.
15. How might you do this now? I will sit quietly and ponder. I will repent for I so quickly complain. I need to pray about turning the other cheek for that is so hard for me…
16. Lamentations 3 : 2 examples of lament
Verses 43-48 You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us; you have slain without pity…
verses 51 What I see brings grief to my soul.. verse 52 those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird.
Questions verse 38 Is it not from the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
verse 39 Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?
Trusting: verse 57 You came near when I called you and you said, Do not fear.
verse 58 O Lord, you took up my cause. you redeemed my life.