Lament - March 13, 2023
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36
I sat down with a friend last week who is conducting a research project at Samford University on the use of lament in worship. We were checking in as Saint Stephen’s is one of the churches that is participating in his project. Most of the nondenominational or other denomination churches in the project did not have an active use of lament in worship. However, I shared how we read the Psalter and for those who engage in morning prayer or the daily reading of scripture, we read all of the Psalms every seven weeks! We lament in worship by not glossing over the challenging texts, by praying, and by offering the Great Litany on the first Sunday in Lent. My friend asked me a challenging question that followed my response, “John, did the use of lament give you tools that have helped you grieve and find hope through the last year?”
I’m struck by his words and the challenge of his question. I’m not sure I want to answer it, but I do turn to Psalm 80 which will be read this morning. The Psalm begins by asking for God’s help and laments the challenges of the world. The people cry out, “O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people… You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.” Later in the Psalm, we hear “Why have you broken down its wall so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes? The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.” We gain the impression that God’s faithful people have experienced exceptional hardship and their answer is to acknowledge it, it is to cry out to God, and then ask “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.”
When we see lament in scripture, it almost always turns hopeful, but it doesn’t shy away from the hard truth that sometimes life is difficult. If you don’t resonate with the Psalmist today, then thanks be to God. And I offer, that maybe there is wisdom in reading these words over and over, because life will have its ups and downs, and the challenge for all of us is to know to turn to God not only when life is easy and smooth but in the valleys, too. “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.”
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Have you considered the use of the lament Psalms in your own faith development? How often do you turn to give thanks to God when you go through a tough time.
Daily Challenge: Read all of the Psalms appointed for today. Consider making this practice alone part of your daily practice.
March 13, 2023