A Plan for Lament
Series: Hope in Despair
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 21st November 2021
Passage: Psalm 13:1-6
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Morning, church.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:05 Let's pray.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 Lord, you know the deep places
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 through which our life must go.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Help us when we enter them
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 to lift our hearts to you.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 Help us to be patient when we are afflicted,
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 to be humble when we are in distress,
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 and grant that the hope of your mercy
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 may never fail us,
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 and the consciousness of your loving kindness
00:00:33 --> 00:00:37 may never be crowded or hidden from our sight.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 Greetings, and I'm glad that you can join us today,
00:00:46 --> 00:00:47 especially if you're joining us online.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 If this is your first time tuning in to our live stream
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 or gathering with us here,
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 we have been studying over the last few weeks
00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 the topic of lament
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 from the book of Lamentation
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 and Psalms in the Old Testament of the Bible.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 So have you heard of the term lament?
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 When someone says he or she is lamenting,
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 what exactly are they doing?
00:01:16 --> 00:01:20 If today is not your first time with us,
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 and you have journeyed with us
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 and with the writer of Psalms and Lamentation,
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 have you practiced any laments in the last few weeks?
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 James, the brother of Jesus,
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 wrote us in his letter in the New Testament
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 from chapter 1, verse 22.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:41 James 1, verse 22 says,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 Do not merely listen to the word
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 and so deceive yourself.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:47 Do what it says.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 Anyone who listens to the word
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 but does not do what it says
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 and after looking at himself,
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 that gives freedom and continues in it,
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 not forgetting what they have heard,
00:02:08 --> 00:02:09 but doing it,
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 they will be blessed in what they do.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:14 James warn us that
00:02:14 --> 00:02:17 if we listen to God's word
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 but take no action
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 in practicing what we hurt,
00:02:21 --> 00:02:22 we are deceiving ourselves.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 We are deceiving ourselves
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 into thinking that we are right with God
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 when we are not.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:31 If we take no action,
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 our faith is a shame
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 and will have devastating consequences
00:02:36 --> 00:02:37 for our life now
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 and our eternal destiny.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 If we merely listen to God's word
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 but do not do what it says,
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 it's like someone who looks into a mirror.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 The mirror that James referred to
00:02:50 --> 00:02:51 is not the same that we use now,
00:02:52 --> 00:02:57 but the one that make with polished copper or bronze,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 which does not give a good impression
00:03:00 --> 00:03:04 to someone who only take a glance of it.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 It will take a considerable amount of time
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 to work out what you look like with them.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 What we see in a mirror
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 is meant to lead us into action.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 For someone who might be a bit more confident
00:03:20 --> 00:03:21 with their image,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 looking in the mirror
00:03:23 --> 00:03:27 will lead them to more admiration of themselves.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:29 They will stop at every mirror
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 and not just making sure they look okay,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:34 but they will admire themselves
00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 and say,
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 oh, why do I look so handsome?
00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 Oh, I look so perfect.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 But for general people,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 the action is usually corrective,
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 such as a dirty face that needs to be washed.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 The only reason that you can walk away
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 and immediately forget what you look like
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 would be because you utterly regret
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 the fault you saw or discovered
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 and instantly forget what you have seen.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:10 It's ludicrous to have checked your face in the mirror
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 or hear God's words
00:04:11 --> 00:04:15 and rapidly ignore and forget what you have heard.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:19 It's absurd for someone who belongs to God
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 or call themselves a Christian,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 a follower of Christ,
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 to be so cavalier towards God's word.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 So let's repent together
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 and turn towards God
00:04:30 --> 00:04:33 like how the book of Lamentation finished
00:04:33 --> 00:04:36 at chapter 5, verse 21 and 22
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 by praying,
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 restore us to yourself, Lord,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 that we might return.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:43 Renew our days as of old
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 unless you have utterly rejected us
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 and are angry with us beyond measure.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 Suppose you are not yet a believer
00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 or follower of Christ
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 or follower of the biblical God
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 who created this world
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 and you and me.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 Lamenting is part and partial of the Bible,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 the word of God.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:09 It is also part and partial of a Christian life.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 God encourages us, his follower,
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 to join him in lamenting
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 over the fallen situation
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 of his created world.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 To lament is to know God.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 So let's together,
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 online, in person,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 believe it or not yet,
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 look at what, why,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 and how to lament today.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 So what is lament?
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 Lament is a declaration
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 of the struggles and sufferings
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 you are experiencing
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 directly to God
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 with honesty
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 and in a God-honoring way.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 I've been reading
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 a book by Gordon Wynham
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 named
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 The Soldiers Reclaimed,
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 Praying and Praising with the Psalms.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 He commented that
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 lament is a prayer to God
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 for delivery
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 from Christ
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 regarding enemies,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 defeats in battle,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 and a life-threatening illness.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 These prayers of lament
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 are written and collected
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 in the Psalms and lamentation
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 of the Bible.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:25 In this crisis situation,
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 the person lamenting
00:06:27 --> 00:06:28 often seems to think
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 that God has deserted them.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:35 almost half of the 150 Psalms
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 are lament Psalms.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 Usually,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 the most common format
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 is complaint,
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 with a cry for help
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 and description of distress.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:48 Petition,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 with an appeal to God
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 and reason for divine intervention.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 And praise,
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 that ends on a note of certainty
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 that prayer has been heard
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 and a vow
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 to praise God
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 for deliveries.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 So the usual pattern
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 for lament
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 is complain,
00:07:08 --> 00:07:08 petition,
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 and praise.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:11 Like the Psalm
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 we just read out
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 by Vivian,
00:07:14 --> 00:07:14 Psalm 13,
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 it goes like this,
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 How long, Lord,
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 will you forget me forever?
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 How long
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 will you hide your face from me?
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 How long
00:07:24 --> 00:07:25 must I wrestle
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 with my thoughts
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 and day after day
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 have sorrow in my heart?
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 How long
00:07:30 --> 00:07:30 will my enemy
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 triumph over me?
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 Look on me
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 and answer,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:34 Lord my God.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 Give light to my eyes
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 or I will sleep in death.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 And my enemy
00:07:40 --> 00:07:40 will say,
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 I have overcome him.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 And my foes rejoice
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 when I fall.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 The Psalmist
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 was in real trouble.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 His enemy
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 were attacking him
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 and he doubt
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 whether God
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 still cared
00:07:56 --> 00:07:56 for him.
00:07:58 --> 00:07:58 He worried
00:07:58 --> 00:07:59 that his enemy
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 will realize
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 how shaky
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 his faith is
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 and will go
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 over the loss
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 of faith.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 But like most men,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 Psalm 13
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 suddenly changed key,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 ending on a note
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 of confidence
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 and praise
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 in verse 5.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 But I trust
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 in your unfailing love.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:20 My heart
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 rejoiced
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 in your salvation.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 I will sing
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 the Lord's praise
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 for he has been
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 good to me.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 Though the man
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 usually ends
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 on a note of hope,
00:08:32 --> 00:08:32 several do not.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 Though at some point
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 they may express hope,
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 the Psalmist
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 sometimes referred
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 to a despair
00:08:40 --> 00:08:40 at the end.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:42 His glamour
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 of hope
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 seems extinguished.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 and it is
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 at this point,
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 at those dark
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 points,
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 that God's
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 steadfast love
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 will shine
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 through
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 to prove
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 his faithfulness
00:08:56 --> 00:08:56 to us.
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 So some of you
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 might question
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 whether it's
00:09:01 --> 00:09:01 appropriate
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 for Christians
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 to lament
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 and some of us
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 did ask that.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 Can Christians
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 use such sound?
00:09:11 --> 00:09:11 Shall we not
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 be giving thanks
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 in all circumstances?
00:09:13 --> 00:09:16 Are such songs
00:09:16 --> 00:09:16 appropriate
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 to people of faith,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 particularly for use
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 in public worship?
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 So why do we lament?
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 Lament lines up
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 our thoughts
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 about our situation
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 with God's plans
00:09:31 --> 00:09:31 for us
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 and this world.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:34 Lament
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 turns and
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 tunes
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 our heart
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 to the hurt
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 and anger
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 of God
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 towards
00:09:42 --> 00:09:42 our
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 mentality
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 towards
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 him
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 and his
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 word.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 Lament
00:09:48 --> 00:09:48 drives us
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 to action
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 which often
00:09:51 --> 00:09:51 involves
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 confession
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 and repentance.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 So lament
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 brings our
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 heart,
00:09:58 --> 00:09:58 our heart,
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 our head
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 and our hands
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 together
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 to glorify God.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 Christians
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 should be
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 lamenting
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 together
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 or quote
00:10:10 --> 00:10:10 psalms
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 that is
00:10:11 --> 00:10:11 written
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 for lament
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 because
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 lament
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 are most
00:10:16 --> 00:10:16 quoted
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 in the
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 New Testament.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 Psalm 22
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 and 69
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 are the two
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 most quoted
00:10:23 --> 00:10:23 psalms
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 by all the
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 writers
00:10:25 --> 00:10:25 of the
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 New Testament.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 Psalm 69
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 was quoted
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 in the book
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 of John,
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 in the book
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 of Acts
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 and Romans.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 Christians,
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 a follower
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 of Christ
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 should lament
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 because of
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 Christ
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 we follow
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 Jesus,
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 pray
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 Psalm 22
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 on the cross
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 and Psalm 31
00:10:46 --> 00:10:46 just before
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 he died.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 On the night
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 before he
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 rests,
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 he would have
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 been singing
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 a few
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 lament psalms
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 with his
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 disciples.
00:10:58 --> 00:10:58 So,
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 we should
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 lament
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 or use
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 the psalms
00:11:01 --> 00:11:01 of lament
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 because
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 our
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 Christ
00:11:04 --> 00:11:04 was
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 the one
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 that using
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 it.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 Christians
00:11:09 --> 00:11:09 in today's
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 society
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 get nervous
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 when we
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 come across
00:11:13 --> 00:11:13 a sentence
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 like,
00:11:14 --> 00:11:14 how long
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 Lord
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 will you
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 forget me
00:11:16 --> 00:11:16 forever?
00:11:17 --> 00:11:17 How long
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 will you
00:11:18 --> 00:11:18 hide your
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 face from
00:11:19 --> 00:11:19 me?
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 Because
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 this kind
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 of sentence
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 counters
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 our culture
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 of positivity.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 Our religious
00:11:28 --> 00:11:28 culture
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 identifies
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 strong faith
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 with
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 ambitions,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 ambitious,
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 joyful,
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 and strong.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 Our society
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 emphasizes
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 and pursue
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 comfortable
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 self-made
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 life and
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 prides itself
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 on being
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 better than
00:11:46 --> 00:11:46 the rest
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 of the world.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 Many
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 Christians
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 are influenced
00:11:50 --> 00:11:55 by our
00:11:55 --> 00:11:55 society
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 and have
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 difficulty
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 emphasizing
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 with the
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 reality of
00:12:02 --> 00:12:02 suffering
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 and the
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 seemingly
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 absence of
00:12:05 --> 00:12:05 God.
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 We think
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 it's not
00:12:07 --> 00:12:07 appropriate
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 to lament
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 to or
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 about God
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 is too
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 negative
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 to make
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 God look
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 bad.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:19 another
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 reason we
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 must lament
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 in today's
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 society
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 by using
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 or praying
00:12:24 --> 00:12:24 these
00:12:24 --> 00:12:24 psalms
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 is those
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 who think
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 they have
00:12:27 --> 00:12:27 no problem
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 and difficulties
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 in their
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 life can
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 learn to
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 sympathize
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 with those
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 in trouble
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 and pray
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 for those
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 suffering
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 or persecuted.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 Our
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 reality is
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 no one
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 is immune
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 to suffering
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 and challenges
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 in life.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 And maybe
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 the reality
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 for you
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 right now
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 is you
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 are under
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 significant
00:12:52 --> 00:12:52 burden.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 Both
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 physical
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 and spiritual
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 sickness,
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 marital
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 problems,
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 financial
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 difficulties,
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 pressure at
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 work,
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 even harassment
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and persecution.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 The
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 advancing of
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 your age
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 bring all
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 sorts of
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 problems
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 with you.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 you find
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 it very
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 hard to
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 come
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 full of
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 joy
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 or
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 happiness.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 When you
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 can see
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 no way
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 out
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 and in
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 your
00:13:22 --> 00:13:22 distress,
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 lamenting
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 and crying
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 out,
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 how long
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 Lord,
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 is a sure
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 and only
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 way
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 of getting
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 to our
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 saying
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 the Lord's
00:13:31 --> 00:13:31 praise
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 for his
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 has been
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 good to
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 me.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 So what
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 is the
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 most significant
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 experience of
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 suffering that
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 you have
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 gone through
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 that you
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 are going
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 through
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 now?
00:13:43 --> 00:13:43 What
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 injustice
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 and social
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 issues
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 disturb you
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 most?
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 God is
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 inviting you
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 to put
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 your trust
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 in him
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 and lament
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 with him
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 over your
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 significant
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 sufferings
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 and to
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 cry out
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 to him.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 Bring your
00:14:00 --> 00:14:00 lamentation
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 to God,
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 especially if
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 you are now
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 in the middle
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 of your
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 hardship.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 Let's
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 practice
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 lamentation,
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 lamenting
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 together,
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 together,
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 bring your
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 suffering
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 to God.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 We'll
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 practice
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 lamenting
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 together
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 today by
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 reading out
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 aloud Psalm
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 13,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 42,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 and 43
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 to each
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 other.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 We'll
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 divide this
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 church into
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 four groups,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 including you
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 online.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 So group
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 one,
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 session one
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 will be
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 over there
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 in front
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 of the
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 Stingas
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 window.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 Session
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 two will
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 be to
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 my left
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 here.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 Session
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 three is
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 this group,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:42 including you
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 online,
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 and session
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 four is
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 those under
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 the mezzanine.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 So what
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 we're going
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 to do is
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 we're going
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 to read
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 out loud
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 on the
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 screen as
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 the scripture
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 comes up.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 So session
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 one, we'll
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 start reading
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 out Lamentation
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 5, 21 to 22,
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 and then Psalm
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 13.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 And while the
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 session is
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 reading, the
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 rest of us
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 can listen.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 And then
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 the next
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 session, we'll
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 read the
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 next session
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 of text, and
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 the rest can
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 listen as
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 well.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 So as we
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 read out
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 these verses,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 let's bring
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 to your mind
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 the suffering
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 that you might
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 be going
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 through, and
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 also the
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 suffering of
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 this world.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 And let's
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 bring this
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 word to
00:15:24 --> 00:15:27 God, and
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 let God's
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 word lead
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 you through
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 a journey
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 of lament.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 Amen.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 So session
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 one, please
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 join me to
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 read out.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 Restore us
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 to yourself,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 Lord, that
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 we might
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 return, renew
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 our days as
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 of old, unless
00:15:46 --> 00:15:46 you have
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 utterly reject
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 us and are
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 angry with us
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 beyond
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 measure.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 How long,
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 Lord, will
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 you forget
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 me forever?
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 How long
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 will you hide
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 your face
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 from me?
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 how long
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 must I
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 wrestle with
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 my thoughts
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 and day
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 after day
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 have sorrow
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 in my heart?
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 How long
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 will my
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 enemy triumph
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 over me?
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 Look on
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 me and
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 answer,
00:16:12 --> 00:16:12 Lord, my
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 God, give
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 light to
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 my eyes
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 or I will
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 sleep in
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 death.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 And my
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 enemy will
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 say, I
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 have overcome
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 him, and
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 my foes
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 will rejoice
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 when I
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 fall.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 But I
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 trust in
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 your unfailing
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 love.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 my heart
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 rejoice in
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 your salvation.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 And I
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 will sing
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 praise, sing
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 the Lord's
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 praise, for
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 he has been
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 good to
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 me.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 Session
00:16:41 --> 00:16:41 two.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:44 Ready?
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 As the
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 deer pants
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 for streams
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 of water,
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 so my
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 soul pants
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 for you,
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 my God.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 My soul
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 thirsts for
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 God, for
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 the living
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 God, when
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 can I go
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 and meet
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 with God?
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 My teeth
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 have been
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 my food
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 day and
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 night, while
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 people say
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 to me all
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 day long,
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 where is
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 your God?
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 These things
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 I remember
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 as I
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 pour out my
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 soul, how
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 I used to
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 go to the
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 house of
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 God.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 Under the
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 protection of
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 mighty one,
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 we shout of
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 joy and
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 praise among
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 the
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 fisted
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 throne.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 Why, my
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 soul, are
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 you
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 downcast?
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 Why so
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 disturbed
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 within me?
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 Put your
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 hope in
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 God, for
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 I will yet
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 praise him,
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 my
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 savior and
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 my God.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 Session
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 three, and
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 those of you
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 online, please
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 join me.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 My soul
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 is
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 downcast
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 within me,
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 therefore I
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 will remember
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 you from
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 the land of
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 the Jordan,
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 the height of
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 Hermon,
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 from Mount
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 Missa.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 Deep
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 course to
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 deep in
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 the roar of
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 your waterfalls,
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 all your
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 waves and
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 breakers have
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 swept over
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 me.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 I
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 day the
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 Lord
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 dearest
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 his love,
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 and light
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 the song
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 is with
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 me.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 I
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 pray to
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 the God
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 of my
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 life.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 I
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 say to
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 my God,
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 my rock,
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 why have
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 you forgotten
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 me?
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 why must
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 I go
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 about
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 mourning,
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 oppressed
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 by the
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 enemy?
00:18:26 --> 00:18:26 My bones
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 suffer mortal
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 agony,
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 as my
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 foes
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 taunt me,
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 saying to
00:18:32 --> 00:18:32 me all
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 day long,
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 where is
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 your God?
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 Why,
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 my soul,
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 are you
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 downcast?
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 Why so
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 disturbed
00:18:41 --> 00:18:41 within me?
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 Put your
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 hope in
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 the
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 God,
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 for I
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 will yet
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 praise
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 him,
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 my
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 savior
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 and my
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 God.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 And
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 section
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 four
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 over
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 there.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 Vindicate
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 me,
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 my
00:18:56 --> 00:18:56 God,
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 and
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 plead
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 the
00:18:58 --> 00:19:02 rescue
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 me from
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 those who
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 are
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 deceitful
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 and wicked.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 You
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 are God,
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 my
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 stronghold.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 Why
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 have you
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 rejected
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 me?
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 Why
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 must I
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 go about
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 mourning,
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 oppressed
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 by the
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 enemy?
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 Send
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 me your
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 light and
00:19:18 --> 00:19:18 your
00:19:18 --> 00:19:18 faithful
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 care.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 Let
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 them
00:19:20 --> 00:19:23 bring me
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 to your
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 holy
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 mountain,
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 to the
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 place where
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 you
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 dwell.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 Then I
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 will go
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 to the
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 altar of
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 God,
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 to God
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 my joy
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 and my
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 delight.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 I
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 will praise
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 you with
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 the
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 lead.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 O
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 God,
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 my
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 God,
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 why my
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 soul are
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 you
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 downcast?
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 Why so
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 disturbed
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 within me?
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 Put your
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 hope in
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 God,
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 for I
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 will yet
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 praise him,
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 my
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 savior and
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 my
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 God.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 And let's
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 read together
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 this next
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 session.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 Together,
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 we
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 store us
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 to
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 yourself,
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 Lord,
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 that we
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 might
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 return.
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 Renew
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 our
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 days as
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 of
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 old.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 Unless
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 you
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 have
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 utterly
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 rejected
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 us and
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 are angry
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 with us
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 beyond
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 measure.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 How
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 long,
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 Lord,
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 will you
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 forget me
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 forever?
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 How
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 long will
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 you hide
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 your face
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 from me?
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 how long
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 must I
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 wrestle with
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 my thoughts
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 and day
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 after day
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 have sorrow
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 in my
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 heart?
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 How
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 long will
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 my enemy
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 triumph
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 over me?
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 Look
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 on me
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 and answer,
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 Lord my
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 God.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 Give light
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 to my eyes
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 or I
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 will sleep
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 in death.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 And my
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 enemy
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 will say
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 I have
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 overcome
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 him and
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 my foes
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 rejoice
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 when I
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 fall.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 But I
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 trust in
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 your unfailing
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 love.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 my heart
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 rejoice
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 in your
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 salvation.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 I will
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 sing the
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 Lord's
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 praise for
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 he has
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 been good
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 to me.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 Many
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 haunting
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 questions
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 will
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 surface
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 and often
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 surface in
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 the middle
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 of a
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 difficult
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 circumstance.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 While we're
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 reading through
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 those section
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 of Psalms,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 what comes
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 up to
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 your mind?
00:21:10 --> 00:21:13 while we
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 wait for
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 God to
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 deliver us,
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 we cannot
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 help but
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 question
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 sometimes,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 have we
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 missed the
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 way by
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 mistake?
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 Have we
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 done something
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 wrong?
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 So we are
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 facing what
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 we're facing
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 now.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 Does God
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 care?
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 Is God
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 there after
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 all or have
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 we been
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 mistaken all
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 along?
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 Waiting
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 does something
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 to us.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 I don't
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 know,
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 have you
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 ever been
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 to an
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 emergency
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 ward when
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 you are
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 so urgently
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 needed some
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 help?
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 So you
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 got in
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 there,
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 you
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 waited,
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 you got
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 a number,
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 and every
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 time a
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 nurse will
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 pass,
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 you're
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 like,
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 is that
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 me?
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 Or
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 someone
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 that I
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 want to
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 help?
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 But the
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 longer you
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 sit in
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 there,
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 the reaction
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 of your
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 heart
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 is slow.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 The
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 longest the
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 people
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 that sit
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 in the
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 emergency
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 ward often
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 is the
00:22:07 --> 00:22:10 waiting
00:22:10 --> 00:22:13 part
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 actually
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 changed
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 them.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Waiting
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 does
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 something
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 to us,
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 and it
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 also tells
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 us something.
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 It shows
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 what our
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 relationship
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 is to
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 the person
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 and to
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 the event
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 that we
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 are waiting
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 for.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 The way
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 a man
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 will wait
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 for his
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 fiancee
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 and the
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 wedding,
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 the way
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 they're
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 expecting
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 parents
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 wait for
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 their
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 babies
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 during
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 their
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 pregnancy.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 The
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 excitement
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 of the
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 waiting
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 because
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 the
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 person
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 that
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 they're
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 waiting
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 for,
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 the
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 event
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 they're
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 waiting
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 for,
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 is worth
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 waiting
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 for.
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 Waiting
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 shows us
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 what we
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 think of
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 the person
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 who keeps
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 us
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 waiting,
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 and we
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 have to
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 wait no
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 more,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 because the
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 Lord has
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 come.
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 Our
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 Savior,
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 our God,
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 has
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 disamounted us.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 Jesus is
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 not a
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 means to
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 an end
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 or mechanism
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 through which
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 we can
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 change our
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 circumstance.
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 He is
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 the end.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 Our
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 circumstance
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 means to
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 drive us
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 to him.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 It's not
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 that our
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 suffering
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 doesn't
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 matter.
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 It matters
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 enough to
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 bring tears
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 to the eyes
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 of the
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 Son of
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 God,
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 Jesus.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 when he
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 saw
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 someone
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 die,
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 when he
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 saw
00:23:32 --> 00:23:34 Jerusalem,
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 and people
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 are not
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 worshipping
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 God as
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 the way
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 they should.
00:23:45 --> 00:23:45 Our
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 suffering,
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 our
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 circumstance
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 means to
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 drive us
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 to Jesus,
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 to God.
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 Our
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 suffering
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 matters
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 to our
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 God.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:57 it
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 matters
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 like a
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 first
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 meeting,
00:24:00 --> 00:24:02 matters
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 to a
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 marriage,
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 or like
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 a birth,
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 matters
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 to
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 motherhood.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 It's
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 the entry
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 point to
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 a
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 relationship
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 formed
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 through
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 suffering
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 as much
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 as through
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 joy.
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 As if
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 Jesus
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 claimed
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 the goal
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 of our
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 existence
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 is a
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 relationship
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 with him,
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 finding
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 him in
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 our
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 suffering
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 is a
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 main
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 point
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 of
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 lamenting.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 Let's
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 pray.
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 Lord,
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 you know
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 the deep
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 places
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 through which
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 our life
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 must go.
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 Help us
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 when we
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 enter them.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 To
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 leave our
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 hearts to
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 you,
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 help us
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 to be
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 patient
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 when we
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 are
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 affected,
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 to be
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 humble
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 when we
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 are in
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 distress,
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 and grant
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 that the
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 hope of
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 your mercy
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 may never
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 fail us,
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 and the
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 consciousness
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 of your
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 loving kindness
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 may never
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 be crowded
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 or hidden
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 from our
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 eyes.
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 Through
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 Jesus Christ,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 your Son,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 our Lord.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 Amen.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:16 Amen.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:18 Amen.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 Amen.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 Amen.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 Amen.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 Amen.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 Amen.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 Amen.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 Amen.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:22 Amen.
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 Amen.
00:25:24 --> 00:25:26 Amen.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 Amen.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 Amen.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 Amen.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 Amen.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 Amen.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 Amen.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 Amen.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 Amen.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 Amen.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 Amen.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 Amen.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 Amen.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 Amen.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 Amen.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 Amen.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 Amen.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 Amen.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 Amen.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 Amen.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 Amen.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 Amen.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 Amen.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 Amen.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 Amen.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 Amen.