How can we trust God to hear our grievances, as in Lamentations 3:61? Setting the Scene “You have heard their insults, O LORD, all their plots against me.” (Lamentations 3:61) Jeremiah, surrounded by enemies and devastation, states a simple yet staggering truth: the LORD has already heard every insult and scheme hurled at him. His confidence is not wishful thinking; it rests on God’s proven track record of attentive care. Scriptural Proof That God Listens • Psalm 34:15 — “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” • 1 Peter 3:12 — “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.” • 1 John 5:14 — “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” • Exodus 2:24 — “God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Why We Can Trust His Attentive Ear 1. His Character – Immutable: Numbers 23:19 shows He does not change or lie, so His promise to hear stands firm. – Compassionate: Psalm 103:13 portrays Him as a Father who feels deeply for His children. 2. His Covenant – Old Covenant faithfulness to Israel underscores His reliability. – New Covenant, sealed in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20), guarantees even fuller access to His throne. 3. His Complete Knowledge – Matthew 6:8 teaches He knows our needs before we speak; hearing is rooted in omniscience. 4. His Justice – Romans 12:19 reminds us that vengeance belongs to Him, assuring us our grievances reach a righteous Judge. What Happens When We Pour Out Our Grievances • We release burdens instead of carrying them (Psalm 55:22). • We shift from self-defense to God-defense, freeing us to respond with grace. • We invite divine intervention in His timing and way (Isaiah 64:4). • We deepen our intimacy with Him through honest dialogue. Practical Ways to Entrust Complaints to God • Speak aloud or journal—articulate details as Jeremiah did. • Anchor each grievance to a specific promise, e.g., Psalm 31:22, “You heard my cry for mercy.” • Rehearse past deliverances—personal and biblical—to bolster faith. • Refuse retaliation; surrender justice to Him (1 Peter 2:23). • Keep watch for His answers, however subtle (Habakkuk 2:1). Examples That Affirm His Attentiveness • Hannah’s silent prayer (1 Samuel 1:13-17) brought a son and national prophet. • Hezekiah’s letter before the LORD (2 Kings 19:14-19) ended with an angel routing the Assyrian army. • Paul’s thorn complaint (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) received the sustaining answer, “My grace is sufficient.” The Ultimate Assurance At Golgotha, Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). The Father heard that grievance, allowed the suffering, and yet vindicated His Son in resurrection. Because Christ lives, every believer’s cry reaches the same Father with unbreakable certainty. Living Confidence Today Rest where Jeremiah rested: “You have heard.” Not “You might hear,” but present-tense assurance. Each insult, injustice, or hidden sorrow is already on heaven’s docket. Therefore speak freely, trust fully, and wait expectantly—your Advocate listens. |
    |