When we are in sorrow or grief, and lament seems like our only outlet, we might wonder what we should be doing while we wait for God (if we have indeed put our hope in Him). In verses 25-30 of Lamentations 3, I see two actions to be taken by the one who seeks God’s mercies:
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.Lamentations 3:25-30 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/lam.3.25-30.NIV
The first one is highlighted by the Lookout commentary (cited below): sometimes we have to wait.
Patience is not my area of expertise, although I don’t think that I’m alone in that characteristic. I would love for my children to learn how to sit patiently and wait without having to pull out their phones, but in order to teach them that, I guess that I’m going to have to learn how to do the same thing!
The challenge is that waiting is one of the last things that we want to do when we’re hurting. I want the pain reliever that I just took to work immediately when I get a headache, and if there’s a problem that I can fix, I’d rather try to do it myself (even if it makes things worse) instead of waiting for an expert (or even a second person to help me out).
For someone whose hope is in God, the second step here appears (to me, at least) to be repenting and/or enduring suffering. I don’t think that those who are still embracing the same sin (i.e., sin for which they are being disciplined) should expect things to turn around in time, if they intend to keep sinning in the same way. Similarly, even those who are suffering for the sins of others (or for sins that they have repented of) shouldn’t necessarily expect that their situation will turn around overnight. God’s plan must run its course, and a quick apology (especially an insincere one) for our sins doesn’t compel Him to start blessing us again right away.
I think that Hebrews 11 (sometimes called the “faith chapter”) has something to say about this, specifically Hebrews 11:35-40. The hope that a Christian can rely upon isn’t always fulfilled on this earth. Sometimes, we must endure suffering until we are home with God again. That might not sound like great encouragement for those whose “thorn in the flesh” (see 2 Corinthians 12:6-10) is likely to be with them until they pass on to the next life, but when we compare eternity to this mist that is our mortal lives, it’s still a good deal.
As the Lookout also points out, hope gives us the strength to get through temporary suffering. Even exhausted long-distance runners can find just a little more energy when they look up and see the finish line ahead. When you know the goal, and what good things wait for you there, it provides a reason to keep going through the pain.
Continuing in verses 31-33, we again have words of hope. God’s discipline is for a season…for a time. This world is messed up because of sin, but – as I understand it – God’s discipline is meant to bring us back to Him, not cast us out. A commentator wrote, “Yes, he punishes the guilty, but for a very short time, in comparison with his displays of love.” [Willis, p.419]
So, let’s not just sit and wallow in our sorrows, our sufferings, and our pain. Biblical lament allows us to express the truth of our hurt to God, but it does not need to end there. Once we have found hope in God (such as the salvation that He offers us through God the Son, Jesus Christ), we aren’t just left to wait: we can clean up our act, wait, and endure. These things aren’t meant to compel God to bless us immediately or fix our problems right away, but whatever God’s timetable for our healing, our patience and righteousness stands as a testimony to the God who deserves our love, honor, praise, and service, even when we don’t feel like it.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 28, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, May 28, 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 