Wrapping up a series of articles from Lamentations 5, what do we do with what we learn from that chapter? I’m not a trained counselor, but I have some suggestions to offer.
Maybe you’re lamenting these days. There is much to be sad about in a fallen, broken world, and if you are in a time of particular lamentation, I hope that you and I, along with all who follow Jesus Christ, will live out Romans 12:15 and Galatians 6:2.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15 NIV
https://romans.bible/romans-12-15
Maybe you see others who are suffering, and – whether or not they understand the process of lamenting their situation – they really need help. Let us not heap more condemnation, suffering, punishment, or vengeance of our own on them (even if they have made themselves our enemies). Instead, let us reach out and find ways to help restore them, as ambassadors of a loving God, serving as instruments of His blessings to them. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, and what better blessing can both they and we find than to make them our friends as well as friends of God?
Let’s get practical: Do you know people who are suffering because of sin – whether their own sin, the sin of their parents, or sins of others that are hurting them? If so (and I’m pretty sure that all of us know people in this situation), are you working – using the gifts that God has given you – to help restore them?
If you are already helping to restore and renew people who are hurting, thank you. Keep up the good work!
If you know people who are hurting, and aren’t even trying to help – or, worse yet, if you are condemning them and thinking in your heart that they are just getting what they deserve – remember where you were before Jesus reached out to you, and consider whether you can be more like Him (rather than like the Pharisees or other bad examples of judgmental religious people throughout history).
If you don’t know anyone who needs restoration, meet some new people and get to know them. It’s possible that friends or family members are hurting, but you don’t yet have a relationship with them that is secure enough for them to share their pain. Or, maybe God is leading you to get to know someone else who your life intersects with, whether a neighbor on your street, someone you see in town regularly, or another person at church.
A life walking with God (through the path that was demonstrated and made possible by Jesus Christ, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit) is not some “unicorns and rainbows” journey where there are no trials or challenges on this earth. If Jesus suffered pain (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, as near as I can tell), His followers should expect no less. God doesn’t always take every bit of our sorrow (or addictions or physical infirmities) away immediately, but He does go through these trials with us, and promises us a time – with a new heaven and a new earth – when there will be no more need for lament.
If you need a reminder of God’s faithfulness today (whether for yourself, or to pass on to others), I encourage you to read and accept His promises like Hebrews 13:5-6 and Revelation 21:1-8.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4 NIV
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 14, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, May 14, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Jeremiah-Lamentations, by Timothy M. Willis. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 