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Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
The term lament, in the Bible, means having deep sorrow, grief, regret, and despair. It may involve crying. It often comes out of feelings of shame and feeling unacceptable. There are various prayers of lament found in the Psalms, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk. They are directly addressed to God. They are songs sung to God from heavy hearts full of burdens yet worshipping God out of love for Him, and not backing away.
A prayer of lamentation was a prayer for help coming out of pain. Job 3:11 is one example: “Why did I not perish at birth?” Job had asked: Why is my pain continuous? Why didn’t I just die at birth? But in the end, Job proclaims his steadfast faith in God, in Job 19:25-26: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he shall stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.”
It is easy to praise God when everything is going smoothly. But what about when life is filled with chaos, brokenness, disappointment, and disillusionment? You find yourself at the end of your rope, and your emotions are raw. You feel violated, used, misjudged, and not treated fairly. Someone’s criticism was exaggerated against you (again), and you want to lash out in retaliation. That is when the real test comes of our faith in God.
Consider two words – “though” and “yet.” In Habakkuk 3, Habakkuk had just finished telling God how to run his world, and then ended realizing God knows best and would execute justice. He stated that even though real disasters were taking place and there was no food to eat, yet he could praise God, and have happiness in his heart. Habakkuk realized true joy was not determined by circumstances but in God himself. God changed his heart but not his circumstances. Habakkuk then placed his confidence back in God’s almighty power in his prayer of faith and trust.
Psalm 27:3 was one of David’s prayers of lament: “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though war rise against me, yet will I be confident.”
David declared in Psalm 42:11: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Even though David had oppression from his enemies that were trying to take his life, he still worshipped and gave praise up to God.
Psalm 23:4 is another example: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Did you know that our phrase we use today,”be that as it may” was in the Psalms and said by David in his songs of lament? Wow!
To continually praise the Lord, despite the quirks of people around us, and the constant craziness in our world’s scene, that is a test I so often fail. I gravitate to the negative side in my own time of lamenting when I feel broken or discouraged.
So I picture God in the room. He is watching me get impatient with someone or something again, and He is shaking His head. Then He would probably put his arms around me and pause. He would then say to me: “Linda, even though this is going on, you can yet praise me and rejoice that I have this. I am in control. I am sovereign. I am the great I AM. I am Jehovah Jireh – the LORD will provide. I will give you the wisdom you need because you have asked me to do that. I am not deaf. I have heard your voice. Come on this journey with me, and I will teach you my paths, and the reward of doing what is honorable. Do not grow weary doing what is right. I will comfort you. I will never reject you. Be that as it may, I am in control. Even though this is crushing and pressing on you right now, yet I will guide my truth into your heart and mind as you read my Word and pray to me. Just watch me and listen. Done.
Questions:
Do emotions sometimes entrap you? Which ones are they?
When starting to go into the pit of despair, begin to write down a list of everything you are thankful for that God has given or done in your life. Do you see the corners of your mouth start to go up and replace that frown?
How can you worship God with your sorrow? Try writing out your own prayer of lament.
Remember, Jesus felt alone, abandonment, grief, and sorrow, too during His life on this earth.
My prayer today: “God, even though there are some obstacles ahead, I will yet praise You for Your grace and mercy You keep giving to me. I fail You so many times, and yet You have delivered and replaced my lamenting with Your amazing way of working things out for my good in the long run (Romans 8:28), time and time again. Even though I haven’t seen certain prayer requests answered (be that as it may), yet I will lift up my heart, and rejoice in You. For in You I trust, and place my confidence in Your almighty power of abundant provisions of blessings. In Jesus name Amen.”
Listen to Danny Gokey’s song, “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again.”