BIB101A - SESSION 3 - Discussion - How Should We Then Suffer
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Apr 3, 2024
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How Should We Then Suffer
Why do you suppose there are more laments than anything else in a book titled "Praises"?
There is more “lament” in the Book of Psalms “Praise” because all Christians need a way to talk to God when life gets hard. “Lament” is a prayer in pain that leads to believing and trusting God. “Lament” is not only how Christians grieve, but it’s the way we praise God through our sorrow. “Lamenting is something we all need to learn to do to rejoice genuinely, even in the bad times.
How do the expressions of lament in the Psalms differ from modern expressions of laments, even from your own laments?
In the biblical days, the laments didn’t occur in real-time; the people cried out to God, and they came to God as they were with tears streaming down their faces. The people didn’t try cleaning up the mess before seeking God. Even though God already knew what was on their minds and in their hearts. The people expressed the depths of their pain vividly. Psalms 6:6 says, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (
Holy Bible, New International Version
, 2011). In this modern day, we cry out to God
the same. But we have an attendance to try to fix the mess we make without seeking God first.
The people in the bible days had no problem asking for help; they pleaded to God to rescue them and asked for help and salvation. So, whatever their needs were, they didn’t mind asking God to step in and provide for them. Psalms 71:12 says, “Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me” (
Holy Bible, New International Version
, 2011). Today, some of us don’t seek God for help and salvation, and neither do some people seek God to provide for
them.
Throughout the “laments,” the people often referenced God’s character, past acts or miracles that God did, past acts of salvation, and his mighty power and wisdom, His gracious love and faithfulness. So, when they cry out and remember all God had done, they end “lament” with a response of trust, praise,
and worship
. Psalms 86:12 says, “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever” (
Holy Bible, New International Version
, 2011).
Think about your life experience. First, has your background encouraged or discouraged lamenting in your life? Why?
Reflecting on my life experience, I am reminded of my mother. I was born on her birthday, and we were inseparable. I thought we would always be together, but in 2017, God called her home, which took me to a dark place in my life. But being a believer and believing in the power of prayer, crying out to God, asking God to help me and bring me out of that dark place, and in the end, trusting, praising, and worshiping God for what he would do in my life. The scripture that brought me through was Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (
Holy Bible, New International Version
,
2011). My “laments” were consistent, every day, three times a day. God brought me out, restored my strength and joy, and gave me peace in my soul.
What do you think would be the impact of regularly incorporating lament into your life? What would it look like? What might be some challenges?
When we lament, that gives us the encouragement to face our individual and communal pain, and it demonstrates that the first and best response to the pain and suffering we may go through is to take it before God. It opens the door to petition to God.
What it would look like is you would address God, describe your suffering or anguish that you need relief from, then petition God for help and deliverance, and lastly, express your belief and trust in God.
The challenges might be trusting and believing that God will fix the situation and having the patience to wait on God; our timing is not God’s timing.
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