How relevant is Lamentations 4 to America, indeed, to our whole world today.
God shook Jerusalem.
And when He did, peoples’ idols were unearthed, as they faced the fact that their idols could not help them in crisis. Jeremiah writes:
gold has lost its luster
people have become heartless
princes are blacker than soot
nations cannot save us
I have been struck by the verse in Hebrews that tells us God will shake our worlds so that what cannot be shaken will be revealed. That’s what happens when real trouble comes. With Peter, we cry,
to whom can I go but to You, Lord?
Let us prepare our hearts with this.
I was shocked a few weeks ago when one of our new Supreme Court justices voted to support the LGBT+ agenda over protecting religious rights. Here I was sure he was an originalist who would protect religious rights, God’s view of marriage, and so much more. But no — shaking reveals where we have misplaced trust. On a more grave and personal note, losing Steve shook my world and pressed me into Jesus like never before.
Highlights from Last Week:
Julie said she has learned that lamenting is transformative — and it is. Here are some testimonies of God exchanging our weakness for His strength through the lament!
Shirley:
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.
Diane:
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.
Bing:
When my heart says “It is hopeless” for my daughter, I am arguing back!
Sunday: Getting Started
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
Monday: Overview of Lamentations 4
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
-
- 1-2
- 3
- 7-8
- 10
- 12
- 13
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
Tuesday: Idols
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why?
B. What is an idol?
C. How can suffering reveal it?
Wednesday: Idols of Finances and People
We surely do not know what is ahead — but a recession or depression seems very likely. Men are often particularly shaken by this, but we as women, especially if we are single, can be too. Women are more likely to be shaken when people they trusted fail them. Yet we dare not “trust the sweetest frame…” The only one who will never move away, never betray us, and never die is Jesus.
While Lamentations surely can feel like a dark cloud, it is meant to lead us to the Rock who is higher than high.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you.
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience
like this?
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you.
12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this?
If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God
instead of in one another?
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us?
Thursday: Cultural Comfort and Spiritual Leaders
I finally saw “Hamilton” by renting the Disney Channel for a month. It was so intriguing, and I was thankful for sub-titles, as I’m not good with rap. It inspired me to listen to the book that inspired Lynne Manuel to write the musical. I learned so much! I always thought most of our country’s founders were Christians, but though they may have embraced many Christian principles, they were Deists. A Desist believes in an impersonal God and takes whatever principles he likes from religions (usually Christianity). John Adams was a Christian — but that was about it. Hamilton and Adams were the only ones not to have slaves. It was so interesting and helped me realize that though we are blessed with a wonderful country, it truly was not built on The Solid Rock. We have so much to be thankful for in America, but I do think it is because God has been merciful, and not that we are so great. It also feels as if God has removed His hand.
I also know how many people have put their pastor on a pedestal, only to face great disillusionment.
14. Comment on the above.
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a
prayer of lament?
16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment.
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment.
Friday: Not Without Hope
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people?
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope
Saturday:
20. Take two of the discussion questions and answer them.
21. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
172 comments
Thursday: Cultural Comfort and Spiritual Leaders
I finally saw “Hamilton” by renting the Disney Channel for a month. It was so intriguing, and I was thankful for sub-titles, as I’m not good with rap. It inspired me to listen to the book that inspired Lynne Manuel to write the musical. I learned so much! I always thought most of our country’s founders were Christians, but though they may have embraced many Christian principles, they were Deists. A Desist believes in an impersonal God and takes whatever principles he likes from religions (usually Christianity). John Adams was a Christian — but that was about it. Hamilton and Adams were the only ones not to have slaves. It was so interesting and helped me realize that though we are blessed with a wonderful country, it truly was not built on The Solid Rock. We have so much to be thankful for in America, but I do think it is because God has been merciful, and not that we are so great. It also feels as if God has removed His hand.
I also know how many people have put their pastor on a pedestal, only to face great disillusionment.
14. Comment on the above. – I have not seen Hamilton, but your description on it Dee sums up where our country is today I think. Those that are not true Christians will take bits and pieces of the Bible and use it to satisfy that argument even though when in context what they are using doesn’t apply most times. As far as putting a pastor on a pedestal, we had a Pastor leave maybe a year ago now, and while he was preaching he would always say he loved being there and would continue as long as he was able, well God had a different plan and all of a sudden he was gone. We did not hear right away from the other pastors and elders what happened, and so I was hurt by his sudden departure. It came out in meetings to the congregation later that he was asked to leave because of a control issue he was letting take over. I just wished the pastors would have said something sooner so the running thoughts didn’t start among people. Our church is thriving without him so it shows me that it is not the pastors of a church, but God who will let it thrive.
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament? – Lord I come to you today, I need your help. Our country, our world, the very ones that you created are burning, they are crumbling. I feel so helpless Lord, can’t you step in and change the hearts of the citizens? We all need you Lord to make this change. What can I do with those who don’t care? With those that don’t even believe you are real? I can’t make them change Lord, only you can. Only you can soften the hearts of those who are terrorizing our cities, our countries and our world. Lord I know you love all of us, you don’t see any difference in any of us. Reign down your love Lord and make this all go away. You are the mighty One, the Creator, the Alpha and the Omega and I know you will hear our cries because you hear the cries of your chosen. I will wait and listen for you Lord. Thank you for always loving us and taking care of us. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment. – “Spiritual leaders should walk alongside their people and model self-examination and repentance.”…The lost ground of spiritual authority might be regained if we were more careful to not idolize those in spiritual leadership and if spiritual leaders led in lament.” I really think this would be a great start and a big help to everyone. What non-believers see and remember are the bad that someone has done. They don’t see a pastor or a leader as human, they see them as high power that should never sin. What a shame this is what they remember of any Christian. Our sins, and most I’m sure our unintentional, turn them away. They see us as hypocritical and judgmental. How sad. I need to really step it up and try harder to be more like Jesus.
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment. – I really like these verses, it shows that they know what they have done and are taking responsibility for their actions or lack of actions against those they knew were doing wrong but trusted them and put them in a place of authority. It is so hard to own up to my mistakes sometimes, in fear of people thinking I’m a lousy follower of Christ. I need to just own up to my mistakes, turn to the Lord, ask for forgiveness and learn from what I’ve done and what the Lord is trying to teach me. I think that if I own my sins, and learn from them, people would see me in a different light and see the goodness of God and how loving He is to those that fail him daily.
So good — it is not the pastors that make a church thrive.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you? Not according to the passions of the flesh that war against your soul (does anyone else besides me feel this daily?) and with honor so others will see Christ’s example in you by your good deeds…even when I’m tired.
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why? While I like the beaker illustration, I don’t see them often. But while I was on vacation, we visited Blackwater Falls in West Virginia. The water was clear and pristine and white but overnight there were major storms that swept through the Appalachian mountains. We went back to the falls that were no longer white but a deep caramel color as the dirt and sediment on the bottom had been stirred up to the surface.
B. What is an idol? I cannot in any way, shape, or form improve on Tim Keller’s definition.
C. How can suffering reveal it? Suffering stirs us up. Our response to suffering reveals what we run to for relief, safety, comfort, control, power, security, affirmation, or approval. We tend to fall back on those false idols we believe in under times of great stress only to realize they are dead things who have stolen the affection that belongs to God alone.
What a great illustration with the waterfalls and the sediment! I can so relate to the ugly sediment coming up in my life when my idols are shaken.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you. Three years from retirement, I can tell you I am certainly fixated on my 401k at times, and I think about life giving up my steady income, but other times I don’t think about it much when so much of what I enjoy is free. But why worry? I may not live that long or Jesus may come by then. His eye is on this sparrow!
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience like this? In my line of work, I deal with the death of children often, including a teenager who took a gun to school to shoot others but chose to shoot himself in the restroom. I can hear his mother saying, “This is real isn’t it” as he was hooked up to a ventilator and machines but essentially brain dead. And his father vomited in the car driving up from Columbus to the hospital. I remember the young mother of her first newborn child who needed a heart repair at 2 weeks of age, sitting in the waiting room, only to hear the surgeon tell her they could not get her off of the bypass machine, watching this mother crumble crying “my baby!” And I know many parents whose premature babies go home after NICU stays tethered to a ventilator through their tracheostomy providing ICU care in their home knowing they have to have an awake caregiver 24 hours a day to assure their child’s airway clearance. My work brings perspective. And I am reminded how much I have for which to be thankful.
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you. Are you kidding? In an election year? While our role in voting for the right person for President is important, it isn’t everything. I think I have perseverated on it as my husband loves having the 24/7 cable news shows on constantly. I feel my anxiety increasing and feeling like if I watch this stuff, I’ll hear something that cements the outcome I desire in place and I will gain relief. Uh…that ain’t workin’ for me at all. The Lord holds the heart of the king…no matter who it is. I think of how he used Cyrus, a pagan king, who ultimately feed the Israelites from their bondage. I’m sure he wouldn’t have gotten any votes from evangelical Christians. God is the one who matters and the only one can save us.
12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this? If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another? I am thankful that eventually I turn to God and rely on Him, but I should turn to Him first. I am very emotionally reliant on my husband as my constant, and he fulfills that role well, but I know (and he knows) that he is not my savior. He, therefore, understands when I need to have special time with the Lord, encouraging me to keep Him at the center of my life.
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us? Even pastors and ministers and missionaries and apologists et al., all have feet of clay.
I really appreciate the reference to Cyrus and how we wouldn’t have voted for him, and yet God used him (a pagan king) to deliver His people. His ways are so not our ways and His thoughts so above ours. We always look for earthly saviors while ignoring the only One who has power to save. I personally weary of Christians putting so much stock in having the right man in office, though I do it myself in other ways.
9. Fixating on Financial Security: we do know that money has power and provides security. This idol can fuel self-sufficiency, as Mark says. He gives the personal example of his potential home purchase and how he was obsessing over it. The whole subject of finances and the drive for it and the anxiety over the loss of it can be a huge obstacle for many. Presently the indebtedness of our nation just overwhelms me and what this could mean in the future. We have come to a difficult point, I think. Yet no one talks about this on the news. To keep finances in the right perspective we need to be stewards for the future.
10. The funeral of the family’s friend’s son made Mark realize the perspective he had was wrong to be anxious over this. He was convicted by the pain of their loss.
11. Treating people like Saviors: what stands out for me is how people are put on a pedestal because of fame or power. At this present time there is so much emphasis on what leaders of our nation can do. I have strongly objected to political drama. I know that God works through whom he chooses, and I know I need to be informed and to do my responsibility, but this is so overemphasized. Mark’s statement is there are limitations to human leadership and I strongly agree.
12. Is there a person you tend to do this with? I remember a time when a friend was so important to me. I thought I had to share and get feed back from my friend. At the time I was reading Idol Lies and I realized that friendship was actually an idol for me. I felt some shame that I was idolizing another person, since we shared so much. We were able to do prayer times together. What has happened in the last couple of years is that my friend started to be cognitively impaired. I now have no communication, though I do pray for her. This is such a tragedy to see this happening. Because she lives in another state, I send a card at times, but have no feedback. She was a strong Christian with lack of family who shared her faith.
13. Lamentations 4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits…Yes, I ponder how the leader was no longer in control and the suffering was intense for the people. Sin had become the master and caused destruction to all.
Many people today are serving something they idolize as a god for the most part and are worshipping to work of mans hands. I believe the entire bible is relevant today in some form or fashion. Really enjoyed this. Nice to see spiritual family with spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear sharing the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChAqSWHSJWENIzJAmDPW7JQ
Thanks, Don.
1. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you.
If we are not careful, money can fuel self-sufficiency.
I will be retiring at the end of this school year. After having worked for the past 27 years and earning a wage, the future of having less income is giving me some form of insecurity. I do not want to be like the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. It is ALWAYS good to be reminded by the futility of putting my trust in money. I can lose it anytime but God will always be my Jehovah Jireh.
2. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience like this?
He realized how his anxiety over money is nothing compared to the grievous loss of his friend’s son.
I have been to quite a few funerals in my lifetime. I often come home humbled and reflective of the brevity of life and to treasure what I have.
Lament penetrates the vault of self-sufficiency and shows the spiritual bankruptcy of trusting in financial security.
3. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you.
There are limitations to human leadership…There is a gap in your human soul that no mere human can fill. My laments not only expressed my sorrow but also helped me that can become my own idol.
I think as a mom and a nurse and a teacher, it is often a temptation for me to act like a savior to other people-my daughter, my husband, my students, my friends. Again, when others come to me, I need to point them to Christ (if they know Him especially) reminding myself that even the very help that I am extending to this person has been provided by God.
4. Is there a person who tends to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this?
My husband. God is my ultimate husband, lover of my soul, and my sole provider. I am thankful, Lord for the gift of a spouse who has provided not only for me but also for my family in the Philippines. BUT I know that you are the one who has provided for him through the years as well through his parents and grandparents.
If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another?
Richard and I have been in the ministry ever since we got married. We have been apart for periods of time either because I was taking care of somebody in my family in the Philippines or at the most recent, he works at the farm for 3-5 days stint. Being separated physically has given us many opportunities to seek God for strength on our own. The Word of God has also helped us be mindful of where we put our trust.
5. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us?
That the very person that we think could be our protector can be no more. Seeing their king, Zedekiah with gouged eyes and his children killed must have been very painful and grievous. The one they thought would be untouched by trouble is at his very lowest.
Bing, you hit the nail on the head about us nurses and moms feeling like we are saviors to other people. It’s a subtle sin that creeps in. Thank you for the reminder that we need to point others to Jesus, and not to us for help in their time of need.
16. Idolizing Spiritual Leaders.
We, too, see the complicity of some leaders in our cultural decay. Some say from positions of authority that the Bible doesn’t condemn sin, or even that the Bible isn’t true or can’t be trusted. Mark wrote that lament invites us to recommit to faithfulness. It used to be that “God so loved the world…” was the most quoted Bible verse. Now it has become “judge not…”. We are so afraid to call out sin, even in our churches or families.
17. Daniel 9:4-8.
Daniel says “we” have sinned, though from our perspective, he was a victim. He identified with his culture, even when he hadn’t participated in the sin. It is so easy in our day to point fingers at others. How many of us are willing to repent openly? For our own sins, but also for being part of allowing the cultural sins to persist. We have the entire Bible speaking to us, if we would listen, as in listen with a commitment to change. I have to ask myself, do I really want to confess and forsake all sin, or just the sin I don’t like?
18. Presuming Divine Favor.
Divine favor does not give permission to ignore God. We are so tied to optimism that we don’t know how to live in a culture reaping what it has sown. I resonate with this even though I don’t have a great deal of optimism about the future. When people keep saying we’ll get back to normal, I think, probably not. But I have no clue how to live in this world we are becoming. I do long for heaven and Jesus more than I want to be here, but in the same way I don’t know how to die physically, I don’t know how to die to my culture.
19. Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people? There will be an end to punishment. Jeremiah’s didn’t come until his death, but it did come. When we know Jesus, no matter what we go through in this life, ultimately we are His. He will take us Home to be with Him. B. Not Without Hope. What stood out?
We need our idols unearthed. “Pain helps us see who we are and what we love.” How essential for us to keep talking to God throughout the journey! I need to also be sensitive to the pain, or even the discomfort, that signals an idol. Like with any sin, keeping short accounts is so much better than thinking it doesn’t matter or I’ll deal with it later.
Friday: Not Without Hope
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments. – “Divine favor does not give people permission to proudly ignore God’s warning.” – OUCH! What a great warning and reminder this is. Though our relationship with Jesus is ‘free’, meaning we don’t have to perform or do a certain amount of good deeds to have it, it is far from free. I need to remember that He chose me, but I need to also show that I appreciate that I was in the election process and learn and grow by reading his Word. I need to grow as much as I can daily to be more like Him. Yes, I know I will never come close to loving like he loves, but I can’t just thinks it’s ok to mess up because I’m chosen. When I mess up, it needs to bother me, it needs to affect my heart so I will stop doing it and turn to him for forgiveness.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people? – Our hope is knowing that our suffering, our pain our many trials will one day end and we will feel the presence of the Lord again in our lives.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope – “The unearthing of idols is part of God’s plan…When pain topples our idols, lament invites self-examination…Pain helps us to see who we are and what we love.” – Again so helpful and a relief that all along God is there to help us cleanse our thoughts, our hearts and souls. He will bring the pain, the trials and sorrows in order for us to get to the point we are free from all the idols taking up space where God is supposed to be. Thank you Lord for the things I go through that aren’t so pleasant and to see the good that they bring. In Jesus Name Amen.
Thursday: Cultural Comfort and Spiritual Leaders
14. I did not know that most of our country’s founders were Deists. It made me realize that even if we think that America is great, it is not because of our Christian heritage but because of the mercy of God. And how long can we as a nation test Him until His wrath can be held no more?
2. 15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament?
My daughter talks about generational poverty that she sees in Seattle, WA. I see the effects of divorce among my students.
3. 16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment.
To lament the spiritual drift in the church. I think COVID-19 has exposed our idol of self-sufficiency. My director who is a Christian said, “ we have been so consumed with death that we have forgotten how to live. We are obsessed with the latest thing that we can grasp to keep us from the virus, afraid of our death or those we love. COVID has stripped us of that power, self-sufficiency. We are at a loss but we do not want to look to God.”
The example he gave of the church’s discipline of the Sunday School superintendent was very sobering.
4. 17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment.
“To us, O, Lord belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.”
Daniel included himself in this confession. Although he lived an exemplary life that we have read about, Daniel acknowledged his part in the downfall of his country. He is also a sinner. And our sins ultimately are against God.
So good Bing:
It made me realize that even if we think that America is great, it is not because of our Christian heritage but because of the mercy of God.
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament?
The issue of abortion has always been one I grieve. I struggle, because I was a coward and had an abortion when I was 18. I was scared and felt like I couldn’t tell my mom. She would have been mortified. As painful as it is that my daughter got pregnant and had two children (unmarried), I am proud of her that she had the courage to tell me and to carry through. I believe God has given me a second chance. I had a miscarriage in my first marriage too (I was in college). So those are two babies that I wasn’t able to take care of. Now I have my two grandkids. I am blessed.
I was interested in the statistics of Indianapolis, as my dad’s family was/is there or near there.
I think I can do more to pray for the horrible things in our world. I have given money to fight against abortion and have asked others to do the same. I should do more.
What a precious way to look at it, Laura, that you are being blessed with a second chance. God is so sweet to us!
I have sometimes wondered, Laura, how many abortions young Christian women have because they sense they would have no mercy from their parents. One day you will meet those two babies.
16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment.
The spiritual leaders of Jerusalem were complicit in its downfall. They were blind and unclean. They lost their credibility and influence. They had apathy. The pastor says our leaders in church should model repentance such as Daniel did in 9:4-8.
He described a time in his own church when one leader had to be dismissed from his position. He says when it happened the whole church was addressed and even though the man was given a chance to repent he did not. The pastor says the meeting of the church is “seared” into his soul.
We shouldn’t put church leaders in a position of being idols. It is dangerous to do so.
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment.
Interesting…. Daniel is asking forgiveness from God for his nation; as a people. Usually my prayers are individualistic. I don’t think of asking for forgiveness of my country or the world. I will include this from now on. He is humble in his asking also.
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments.
Israel was/is God’s chosen people. They had become a nation that had forgotten everything had come to them through God. We should not do this. They didn’t heed God’s warnings.
America tends to be optimistic in our outlook. Do we make this an idol? Do we believe we are blessed by God and nothing will happen to us? What if we are reaping what is sown? How do we live in a place like that? None of the idols can fulfill our deepest desires. I guess I am a believer in the idea that America is a country that is generally good to others and others’ countries as well. I do believe we are blessed by God. I also believe He can “take us out” as He has done in the past with His own chosen people. Maybe now is the time to pray the repentance prayer though, because the culture has gotten itself so far out of whack with the abortion, homosexuality, racism, etc. ideas that He is “done” with us.
Thursday
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament?
I need to allow lament to soften my heart to the problems around me. With the jobs that my son and daughter have within our community I hear more than I’d like to. We live in a port city which brings with it a big problem of drugs.
Dear Lord, I will admit that it is easier to turn a blind eye to the problems of drugs, broken families and abuse of children in my community. I have to ask why You turn Your back on innocent children? Why do the children have to suffer for their parents sin? Show me Lord how to have compassion and may my children not become hardened but rather be filled with grace towards people they deal with, remembering the grace You have shown them. I’m really not sure what my part in all this is. I ask for Your direction and pray for strength to be obedient to Your leading. I will trust in You. Amen.
Friday: ” By reading books like Lamentations, we are reminded that divine blessing does not guarantee a pain free life or a receptive culture.” Presuming Divine Favor, Although I have prayed with King David Ps19:13, “Keep me from presumptuous sin.” , it’s been a while. I read one definition of presumption is behavior perceived to be arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. Being rebellious (witchcraft) and stubborn (idolatry) in rejecting God’s Word leading to God’s rejection of King Saul. 1 Sam 15:23. God dealt with Saul who said he feared the people and obeyed their voice. Ouch! That’s painful. “Lamenting the toppling of our cultural idols can reorient Christian exiles as to what King and what kingdom we were supposed to long for. ” I need this reorientation. “Pain topples our idols, lament invites self-examination.”
Saturday: #3 discussion question. How can loss or suffering reveal our idols-the things on which we place our trust? What have you seen in your own life? Loss of an idol could leave us storm tossed if Jesus isn’t our anchor. Living through loss of loved ones and friends every year beginning with the Murrah Federal building bombing in OKC 1995 until 2006 when my youngest son passed away then again in 2011 when my Dad died, made me see more and more that our heavenly Father graced me to receive suffering and to see what is truly eternal and worth investing in. It would have been impossible to live through these tragedies without Him, my Savior, Redeemer, the Lover and Bishop of my soul. To Him be all glory and honor. There is still more work to be done in me so I trust the One Who unearths idols in me therefore, I lament. This is my take away this week.
20. Reflection questions.
#1). How have you responded to the changes over the last 10 years? What about your friends, family, and church?
I’ve become more guarded in what I say in public, or with people I know don’t agree with me. Inside the enclave I’m strong and verbal, but out there…not so much. That fear grieves me. Writing this unearths another idol for me. Both my esteem among others and my personal safety are far too important to me. I need to seek God about that. When I look at friends, family and church, I see a lot of the same. I cringe most of the time when someone does speak out boldly, because it is usually sounds so unloving and/or arrogant. It is really hard to speak out with love and humility! My husband and I partner with a ministry called Steiger. They reach out to the global youth culture, and do a fabulous job of being bold, loving and creative.
#6). What other idols do you need to lament over? What areas of cultural upheaval do you need to mourn?
Since one got unearthed above, there is that. And maybe I need to be mourning and lamenting for both my church and the greater believing church.
14. So as I think about our country, “we have so much to be thankful for , but it is because God has been merciful, not that we are so great.”
Yes, as I consider this statement, I agree and know I have much to be thankful for. Yet there are so many evils that have been harbored and covered up, I wonder how long will God be merciful. We have taken so much for granted in this land of opportunity. It has not been an opportunity for many citizens. For many who have prospered have become self-centered. They believe in themselves, yes have made idols of themselves. They look down on those who have not had opportunities for many different reasons, thinking themselves above others. We tend to ignore the issues, as Mark listed, of generational poverty, divorce, teen pregnancy, racism and unemployment. We do not look beyond our own communities.
15. What area of cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament.?
Father God, I lament these 3 areas of cultural downfall that go hand in hand: These are areas of generational poverty, teen pregnancy and racism. Father, I lift up many who struggle in these categories and seem to perpetuate the cycle. You have love for all and you know the burden of those who find themselves stuck in the cycle and are dependent on the “system” that has been created. Yes, we are the ones who need to reach out and be the church you have called us to be. We have been so comfortable and have not come to you. Yes, we are stuck in our own small world. Help us, Father, for many do not know what to do or have not felt the responsibility that you have called us to as your children. Your word is true, we all need to work for our needs. Show us the way to truth and freedom from sin. We put our hope and trust in You. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday: Not Without Hope
1. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments.
The people of Israel thought they were great because they were deserving of God’s blessings. They presumed on God’s goodness and did not expect the harsh discipline.
Cultural optimism can be an idol. We don’t know how to live in a culture that is reaping what it has sown.
Lament shows us the subtle idols that we have.
I do not need to be consumed with too much introspection; but instead, I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction when sin is encroaching on the door of my heart. I am undeserving of all the graces that I have received from God. But when His discipline comes, I need to pay attention and to seek His face, to repent and to turn to Him.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people?
The punishment will end for God’s people and their exile will not be prolonged.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope.
Pain is uncomfortable but is a helpful teacher. Pain helps us to see who we are and what we love. The unearthing of idols is part of God’s plan.
Saturday:
2. Take two of the discussion questions and answer them.
#3 How can loss or suffering reveal our idols-the the things on which we place our trust? When have you seen in your life?
Loss or suffering has “forced” me to look at where my trust is based on. I have seen this well played out when I get sick. I felt like I am letting people down because I am not there for them. My idol is myself! And I have made myself a savior for others which is absurd because I know I cannot be what only God can be in their lives.
#4 As your read through the types of idols, which does your heart tend to gravitate toward? Why do you think they are so attractive to you?
At one time or another, I can gravitate to any of the types of idols but more of the following:
Financial security as I think of retirement for next year
People especially my husband and my daughter
20. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
This is a heavy chapter, indeed, but the most meaningful and helpful for me. Mark is fast becoming like a friend who is not afraid to “confront” me with hard things in my life. It is as if he is talking to me without him knowing his words are cutting through the very fibers of my being.
I don’t think I have gone through a day without a lament in my heart ever since we started this book! I know whatever convictions I feel from his words is from the Holy Spirit. I am very thankful for this study.
Thursday
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment
I was just praying Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1 starting in verse 6 for our country this past week and both his prayer and Daniels prayer are very similar.
16. Idolizing spiritual leaders: What stands out to me is that the lament in chapter 4 shows us the connection between the vacuum of spiritual leadership and divine discipline. Self-examination and repentance should be modeled by our spiritual leaders. Yes, this has been missing in churches. In fact, when I brought up the subject of lament, many looked at me with no understanding of this subject.
17. Daniel 9:4-8 This is a great prayer for a man who was so faithful in standing strong for his beliefs. Yet he was humbling himself as he prayed. verse 3 says, So he pleaded with the Lord God , in fasting and in sackcloth and ashes. This is so missing, we talk about the culture, but we neglect to examine the sins of the church.
18. Presuming Divine Favor: Yes, Israel was under divine discipline. Verse 11: God gave full vent to his anger. Sadly we are reaping what we have sown.
I listened to a sermon by Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle recently who shared his deep concern for the church. The title, The Radical Nature of Christianity, and in a passionate sermon he shared that our identity as Christ followers is being lost in the politicizing area. In fact we need to bless those who curse you and be the light to the world. It was very convicting.
19. Lamentations 4:22 A. what hope is there for God’s people? your punishment will end; he will not prolong our exile.
B. What stands out for you? That pain is an uncomfortable but helpful teacher. A time of lament will help us to think and to pray for the pain we are confronted by.
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments. This is us as Americans! Most generations living now did not experience the Great Depression and World War II. Most of us have not collectively suffered as a country. In comparison to other nations, we have it made. We assume that this is because we are a “Christian” nation and that we were founded on Judeo-Christian values, that it will always be this way. I read Lamentations and grieve for our nation…ALL of us. What have we traded our love for God for? Lover of selves? Lover of pleasure? Lover of comfort and security? Our society banished the Word of God a long time ago until it is politically expedient. First and foremost, the Church needs to repent for our idolatry and disregard for our holy calling, as well as our spiritual adultery.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people? That there is a limit to God’s against His people. That it’s purpose is to bring us to repentance, not destroy us.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope I was moved by this paragraph: “The unearthing of idols is part of God’s plan. When pain toppes our idols, lament invites self-examination. We can see more clearly the misplaced objects of trust that surface when the layers are peeled back. Pain helps us to see who we are and what we love.” This pierced me. I also thought of John Piper’s book/booklet “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” when Vroegop said, “This valley can be one of the most important learning opportunities of your life.” Lament is the tool by which we learn, we examine, we confess, we change…because it causes us to see God for who He is.
Friday
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments.
I think most believing Americans just as the the Israelites, “have come to see themselves as a special people who have deserved and earned their great country, rather than recognizing that everything that’s been accomplished is by the grace of God.” “How many directly connect optimism to the belief that “we are blessed by God.” This is a conversation I’ve had with believing friends and they get mad at me…all you have to do is look at Israel.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people?
The hope is that their punishment will end and they will soon return from exile.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope
”Emotional healing, while a good and right goal, should not be your only focus. This valley can be one of the most important learning opportunities of your life.”
Wednesday: Idols of Finances & People
9. Fixating on Financial Security: What stands out to me is the contrast of decisions made; one was final & absolute, the other paled in comparison.
10. The funeral gave the author “much-needed perspective” in that his “burden” was fixated on financial security and seemed shallow and foolish (rightly so) in light of his friends’ grief & sorrow.
Yes, I have had similar experiences separately with both suicide and with money. When the 2007 recession hit, I was a realtor and not working since the economy & housing market tanked. My husband’s hours were cut to part-time. This was the beginning of my “deep, dark years” when huge changes were happening in ours and our daughters’ lives. I was consumed with anxiety, worry and fear of the unknown. I didn’t know how (or IF) we would get through the struggles and hardships. I wondered if we would lose everything. This was most definitely the hardest time of my life. Looking back on that time now though, I see that the Lord was faithful to me and my family, He carried us through, and He revealed Himself in ways I had never experienced before. I would not know Jesus the way I know Him now if I hadn’t turned to Him then. Don’t get me wrong though: I don’t ever, Ever, EVER want to go through something like that again . . . unless that’s what He wants for me. 🥴
And then the suicide. I think we’re oblivious to how prevalent suicide is – until it strikes close to home. Our daughter cut herself and talked of suicide while she was in middle school (which we sought counseling and help); our 13 year old nephew took his life a few years later; and then our same daughter attempted suicide two years ago – unsuccessfully. Suicide is such a hush-hush topic – especially in the church. I haven’t ever really felt comfortable talking about it with anyone partly because this is my daughter’s story and not mine to tell, and because it could jeopardize her career if others knew. I struggle with knowing the balance of sharing my life (my story that includes my daughters, of course) while at the same time not putting my daughter(s) in a bad light. This is really hard for me.
11 & 12. Treating People Like Saviors: what stands out to me is that complete healing can only come from the Lord. Before my “deep, dark years,” I expected my husband to be my savior; during my deep, dark years, I realized he was not my savior (for which I mourned). Now post “deep, dark years,” I don’t want him to be my savior, but I do long and pray that he would be the spiritual leader in our home. I wish we would pray, and read/study the Word together regularly. I wish for a deep, spiritual intimacy together.
13. Lamentation 4:20 tells me that there are no absolutes or guarantees or certainties in our country; that even the Lord’s anointed ones suffered greatly. It tells me that I must place ALL of my trust in Jesus Christ alone. I need to pray for our president and elected leaders, for our up-coming election, for the Covid-19 vaccine, for so much unrest and discord in our country right now. I pray the Lord would please put into office the people that are the best for this country . . . but even if He doesn’t, I will trust in Him.
The songs “Even if” by Mercy Me and “I will trust in You” by Lauren Daigle are great reminders for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXMPNXXnCls
Karmen, your story proves to me that we all have trials albeit they are different, in our lives. I’m so sad to hear of your daughters suicide attempts, but joyful that she failed and has a career now (and presumably has healed herself since those times). I have lost so many students in the past 15 years to suicides and overdoses. It really saddens me that people think life is so bleak that they can’t go on. Praying for you dear sister in Christ.
Oh Karmen, I so understand the agony of dealing with depression in young people. I have had 2 grandchildren dealing with mental illness and though this has not happened(suicide) we never know when one will lose hope and plan a permanent solution to a temporary problem. We struggle to see the pain they are going through. Our present cultural situation only feeds the problem. thanks for sharing.
Oh, Karmen! My heart goes out to you! Sending you a hug through the blog! As someone who has contemplated suicide and now meets with someone who struggles with both that and the aftermath of it in their family, I empathize with you. People don’t want to talk about it because they don’t want to get too close to any pain they can’t fix. And, yes, our stories intertwine with those of others and we want to respect their ownership of that. I also empathize with having gone through what you call “deep, dark years”, and I refer to as a white water time. The lessons learned are invaluable, but please, Lord, don’t make me go through it again. Learning how to not let our spouses be too much to us, and yet wanting them to be more than they are… yes! We are such wonderfully and yet terribly complex beings! I find incredible comfort and hope in knowing that God created me, not like I would create something, but He did it planning out every part of me and every one of my days. The fact that He not only loves me in the abstract, but in the particulars…even down to wanting to experience everything through me…Wow! Lifting you up before the Throne, dear sister.
Thursday: Cultural Comfort and Spiritual Leaders
14. We, in America, have been fortunate and blessed. I wonder though how much longer we will be able to say, “God bless America, home of the brave, land of the free, my home sweet home” – and yet, this isn’t my home, I am just passing through.
15. Cultural downfall prayer – several years ago I was studying Daniel and when we came to Daniel 9, I was amazed at how Daniel’s prayer for his people in his time is also a prayer for us and our nation in our time. It is such a powerful prayer of how awesome our God is and how awful we are, of lamenting and mourning our turning away from God, and of pleading for his compassion because of who He is and His name.
16. Idolizing Spiritual Leaders – “Lamentations 4 shows us how far spiritual leaders can fall. A lament like this should be a somber warning for those in spiritual leadership.” So true. Sin is no respecter of persons.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people?
Their punishment will end soon.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope.
Our struggles will also end. God will not prolong our suffering.
reflection question 3. How can loss or suffering reveal our idols? During these times of crisis there is need to evaluate our lives for where we are putting our trust or hope. I had a very difficult time and during this season of my life I found that I had the idol of control which was revealed to me. I was able to focus on this and explore my relationship to God in a greater depth than ever before.
6. What other idols do you need to lament over? I am looking at the idol of relationship of family. When my children were growing up I placed them in the position of idols. I was so blinded to that, but now I see my 2 daughters who seemed to follow in my pattern, and it is difficult to watch. This seems to be deeply ingrained in our culture, as parents seek to make life far too comfortable for children and even commit crimes to get them into college. Now many young adults seem to feel entitled, and this has weakened their character.
What is my take away this week? Well, Mark has said it so well, “Pain is an uncomfortable, but helpful teacher.”
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify? To be honest sometimes I feel like an exile in my own Christian circles. I see many Christians prioritizing their rights and freedoms over the message of the gospel. I see friends bitterly arguing over issues that are not gospel/word important.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you. Lament calls us to uncurl our fingers to what we are holding on to and trusting. Its an alien process to me to truly think and walk, “In Christ Alone” or like Tim Keller talked about after his cancer diagnosis, to be weaned off the world’s joy’s and desire God’s presence more.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you? The idea that the passions of my flesh wage war against my soul. The word picture that gives me is profound.
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why? The utter desolation and demoralization of God’s people. Compassionate woman boiled their own children, better were those that died from swords than those from hunger. The Priests and elders wondering the streets full of blood and being yelled unclean and away and do not touch.
B. What is an idol? An idol is anything that takes the place or is what/who we turn to instead of God in our lives
C. How can suffering reveal it? Suffering causes us to no longer be able to be self deluded, self motivated, self providing, self saving, or self sufficient.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you. What stands out to me is that I have struggles in this area. It’s clear to me that when/if God would were to shake this area I would struggle.
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? He realized what was consuming his mind in light of what is truly valuable in life. Have you had an experience
like this? Yes. When people in your life are walking out a cancer diagnosis it’s puts things in perspective in your own life.
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you. I never saw the potential for myself to be an idol. It resonates with me that there are times I try to be something only God can be to others in their pain.12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this? I recently had a friend who has had the loss of a close family member, tell me she has cancer. Part of the lament is that I feel like I am little help, my desire to want to help her has shades of making myself an idol. If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another? By continuing to point each other to deeper fellowship with the Lord and of course prayer.
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us? That even people who God put into high positions, who we think have great power cannot save us from God’s wrath or hard times.
14. Comment on the above. It is probably healthy to realize that we are not a Christian nation built on Christianity.
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a prayer of lament? Broken families and broken Children. Oh God in heaven, be our father, be the father of the lost children. Heavenly Father there are children lost everywhere, in every nation. Children with no parents, children with disengaged parents, children with abusive parents. Oh God see their poverty, oh God see how they have been left bereft, hear their cries, and their screams. Oh God stand for the defenseless and the alone. Move oh God on their behalf, be present oh God in their aloneness. Stand for them God and rescue them from the darkness. Thank you God that you care for the orphan and for those who have been abandoned. Thank you God that your justice will reign. Thank you God that our hope is in you.
16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment. Its difficult not to idolize church leaders. To want to build them up so that we can feel safe in trusting them. I can see how difficult that makes it for them.
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment. There is so much humility in these verses. How different all of our churches would look if this was the attitude we each carried and walked in.
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments. The idea that the ‘American Spirit’ is like a positivity that is an idol, is very interesting given our times, I can’t help but wonder how much the struggle of Christian’s including myself have struggled with Covid19 because our positivity from living in the USA has developed our expectations.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people? God is, also that He will end their punishment.
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope. That Lament gives us expression of our sorrow but is also a teacher.
20. What idols do you gravitate towards and why are they so attractive to you? I think for me it would be craving cultural comfort. I think it is far to easy for me to find comfort in my culture, and what my culture gives me for numbing activities.
My take away: Its incredible to me how much this book speaks to us of our current times and condition. It was very clear to me how much some of my Christian friend’s were finding their security in their American identity or the freedoms and rights that our ‘citizenship’ gives us. I didn’t see as clearly how the idol of myself somehow being able to fix/help people who were hurting, was active.