Lamentations 3: 1-26
I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the LORD’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.
He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.
Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help. He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.
He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver. I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long. He has filled me with bitter herbs and given me gall to drink. He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust. I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3: 1 – 26
God is still good even when He wounds us. God is still good even if everything is destroyed. I am so glad that the Bible isn’t afraid to be honest about this. The Bible says that terrible things happen and God is still God. He is faithful and true.
Don’t let anyone mislead you with coffee cup Bible verses that are trite or dismissive about the pain we suffer in this life. The Bible is clear: sometimes it’s not O.K. If Isaiah 45: 7 is to be believed God does not shy away from the blame. God says, “I bring prosperity and create disaster.” I cannot understand or explain, this side of heaven but the Bible says that tragedy happens and God is not caught unaware. He knew about it and it happen anyway.
We are left speechless on this point (at least I am) and we can either grieve with God or grieve without Him. When God wounds us it’s best to huddle up and wet the floor with our tears, for where ever two or three are gathered weeping, Christ is there crying in their midst. Our God weeps with us.
ephesians2eight 