A cry of hope
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” This is perhaps the most famous lamentation in world history. It shows us how we can deal with pain and grief, and why it is good to lay our suffering at the Lord’s feet.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This is one of Jesus’ last words on the cross. Although this cry sounds so desperate, it harbours the seeds of hope. The dying Jesus speaks, indeed prays, the beginning of a psalm here.
The perfect example
This is taken from Psalm 22, the inconspicuous neighbour of the great song “The Lord Is My Shepherd”. And it starts in the depth of despair: “O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear.” Who has not made such experiences?
“I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint,” Psalm 22 says a little further on. “My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me.” How much worse can things get?
But then the wind suddenly changes: “But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My strength, hasten to help Me!” And: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.”
The basic pattern
This is not the only psalm with such a structure. Many begin with a lamentation and end on a note of hope, sometimes even joy. In fact, the 150 psalms are arranged in such a way that they move thematically from lament to praise.
Nowhere in the entire Bible does the lamentation of a single person lose itself in the vale of despair and become bogged down. Sure, the invocation (“My God”) is first followed by a cry of woe. But this is soon followed by the plea “Save me” and then by the expression of trust (“You have answered Me”). And in the end, everything is resolved and culminates in praise.
Can this serve as a model for Christians today?
The application of the psalm
This is a definite yes, because lamentation—alongside petition and thanksgiving—is another form, or even a possible component, of prayer.
Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, for example, demonstrated this in the opening prayer of the funeral service for the retired Chief Apostle Richard Fehr: “We prayed that he would get better. But You did not hear us. And now we are sad. And we need Your comfort.” Now you know how we really feel, God.
The effect
Prayer works and intercession helps!
- Expressing one’s grief can help lessen some of the pain: perhaps it is the first time that a painful reality has hit home and been expressed. This takes away the burden of unspeakability and the pressure of denial.
- Lamenting creates closeness. Those who share their grief and pain with God do not distance themselves from God, but turn to Him.
- Lamenting strengthens trust because those who entrust their suffering to God also trust Him to help them.
Relief, closeness, trust. Lamentation is the struggle of hope and the deep breath needed for the sigh that is called consolation. And above all there is the certainty: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then there will be no more question of why. “And in that day you will ask Me nothing.”
Photo: Studio OMG
