Hope in Lamentation

A 高銘謙 Sermon Summary

​The Bible teaches us to be thankful and joyful (Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 12:12). But how about Lamentation’s sorrow, and criticizing and accusing God?
 
As explained in Deuteronomy 28, if the Israelites obeyed God, blessings would pour on them; if not, cursing would come in five incremental phases the longer they spurned God’s laws. The fourth phase included plagues, enemies’ attack, and hunger. And the final was being scattered among nations (Leviticus 26:3-39).
 
Lamentation’s author, the prophet Jeremiah, described God’s violence towards them, setting traps for them, putting them in the hands of their enemies, abandoning warriors, and crushing the young. Though suffering has other causes, Jeremiah accepted their disobedience as the logical cause of their pain and sorrow. He never disputed the reasons behind their suffering. Yet Jeremiah complained and accused God furiously, questioning why the suffering was so intense, why there was such severe hostility now when God was so close before, why He punished them for their ancestors’ sins, and why He didn’t punish others (1:5, 12-15; 2:14; 3:1, 2-11).
 
With enemies invading them and other nations totally ignoring them, Jeremiah kept asking God to witness their suffering and pain (1:9, 11, 12, 20). He fervently cried out to God probably because he believed God’s promise on removing the curse if they humbled themselves, confessed their sins, and repented (Leviticus 26:40-42).
 
And Jeremiah lamented.
 
There are two types of laments. The first type is shown in David mourning the death of Saul as a hero (2 Samuel 1:17-27). It is typically used at a funeral and is filled with despair.
 
Lamentation describes the second type. It cries out to God, not to yourself or any other person. It accepts your own fault and honestly expresses your intense frustration, even blaming and accusing God for ignoring you, and your pain and suffering.
 
But it never gives up on God.
 
You hold tightly onto Him. You keep asking Him to witness your miserable conditions. You trust that He will understand your criticism and feel your pain. Such lament helps you endure and face pain and suffering, and it’s a form of faith.
 
You honestly, passionately, and forcefully cry out to God with the hope and belief that He will rescue you. Ultimately, it’s a form of prayer and worship, and it is good and holy.
 
Summary of a sermon entitled “Hope in Lamentation” by 高銘謙
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ0g2VfkFIg