Lamentations Bible Sketch

Grief, sorrow, regret, mourning, hard times, destruction…

How is it possible to empathize with and forgive someone who is lamenting?

 

Life can be a downer at times.

We live in a broken world where unhealthy choices are made and suffering occurs.

Life’s difficulties may be rare or frequent. Troubles could be momentary or lingering. Torment may be physical or emotional. Consequences may affect few or many. Details may be public or private. Pain, loneliness, suffering, hypocrisy, sickness, and hardships are a part of this crooked generation.

“Is there an answer to the ‘generations of pain’ that continue the cascade of prejudice, violence, sadness, hurt, injustice and confusion? Yes, but the answer does not flow from our own hearts and it will not take effect because of our efforts or outrage. The answer comes from outside ourselves.”—Rev. Michael Newman (read more)

True lamenting expresses sincere regret for one’s own sin and can help rebuild trust. A fake apology may be only a coverup for being exposed and often includes the words but or if.

“Lament allows us to fully face and name our pain, and it creates space for future resolution and hope without glossing over our trauma.” —Whitney Woollard (read more)

Lamentations 3:22-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

 What are our options?

• Believers receive the faith, lament sins, confess insufficiency to earn salvation, repent of wrongs and are forgiven in the Name of Jesus. With power and strength in Baptism, the Word (Bible) and the the Lord’s Supper, the Comforter mercifully transforms and guides them to trust God’s promise that after earthly death begins eternal life with Jesus in paradise—and there will be no more pain or tears!
• Unbelievers deny the work of Christ as Savior. God’s judgement on those who reject the Holy Spirit results in suffering for eternity in hell.

Jesus took the punishment we deserve. Our only hope is in Christ.

By the faith the Holy Spirit provides, even in suffering, believers praise and rely on God’s grace. His unending mercies remove all sin, guilt and worry. He intercedes for, forgives, patiently holds and encourages those who trust Him.

God sometimes allows affliction to draw people to His compassion and peace.

Don’t push away the hope God gives! Repent. He wants to be merciful, forgive, and be kind to all. Give Him the glory and share the Good News!

“God has a great secret we all need to learn. Do you know what it is? Live one day at a time!”—Rev. Darold Reiner (listen to or read the Mustard Seed Devotion)

Links on Lamentations

• Introduction
• Illustrated overview video 
  
• Bible study, conversations
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness

1. Great is Thy faithfulness,
   O God my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
   Thou changest not:
   Thy compassions, they fail not;
   As Thou hast been,
   Thou forever wilt be.
   Refrain:
   Great is Thy faithfulness!
   Great is Thy faithfulness!
   Morning by morning new mercies I see;
   All I have needed
   Thy hand hath provided;
   Great is Thy faithfulness,
   Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. [Refrain]
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

Remembering Mom is a Blessing. She gave me life, love and shaped my soul.

This year I have a better understanding of sorrow. For one thing, it has been a year since I lost my mother. Losing someone you love is difficult, whether it be to death or any other way people lose each other. But Christian believers know that death is not a final loss. This faith takes away the sting—even though I am sad in the present—I have peace in the promise of eternity together. The gift of faith I received in baptism and through hearing the Word of God allows me to trust that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is pure grace which redeems me. It helps me understand sacrificial love.

Curious people love to learn. This is why the adult Bible class I go to after church on Sundays is well attended. I don’t do well at studying on my own, so it really helps to participate in class as a listener. Not that I retain all the knowledge that is available to absorb on my own, but I know the Spirit uses this method to get things into my thick noggin and amazingly allows me to retrieve it when I need it most.

One of the great things about this class is that it offers opportunity for questions about the sermon, is open to and often is side-tracked into discussion about various topics that are current in everyday life. This way I am able to learn about a perspective often not available through the popular news media. For example, I would not have known about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandate. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) response—the video was informative and interesting. President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison testified on Capitol Hill before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, representing my position. I object to the use of drugs such as “the morning after pill” and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception.

Now, our Bible class is into the third of the past three topics listed below:

1. Isaiah—Book of the Bible (740–861 BC)
2. Witness • Mercy • Life Together Bible Study, Albert Collver (2011)
3. What Happens When I Die?, Stephen Hower (2011)

Ruth Margaret (Olson) Busse

Remembering Mom is a Blessing 
I see her in the mirror
Hear her in a sister
Feel her in the sky
Imagine her in my car
Find her in a photo
I remember her smile,
her discernment,

her grace,

her hug,
her voice,
her wisdom.