How does Lamentations 2:18 encourage us to express our sorrow to God? Opening the Text “The hearts of the people cry out to the LORD. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, nor your eyes rest.” What the Verse Says • “The hearts of the people cry out to the LORD” – Sorrow is directed God-ward, not suppressed or diverted elsewhere. • “Let your tears flow like a river day and night” – Continuous, unfiltered emotion is portrayed as appropriate before Him. • “Give yourself no relief, nor your eyes rest” – Holding nothing back, refusing to mask the depth of grief. Why Honest Tears Matter • God invites authenticity; He “is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). • Tears admit helplessness, aligning us with Jesus, who Himself wept (John 11:35). • Lament is worship: pouring out anguish affirms His sovereignty and our trust that He alone can heal (Psalm 62:8). Practical Ways to Practice Lament 1. Speak aloud or journal every fear, loss, or regret—name them specifically. 2. Use Scripture as vocabulary: pray Psalm 13 or 22 alongside your own words. 3. Give grief time; schedule moments where you do nothing but sit with the Lord and weep if needed. 4. Invite community: share sorrow with fellow believers who will carry it to God with you (Galatians 6:2). 5. End each lament by remembering His past faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Psalm 142:2 – “I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.” • 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” • Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…”—even when our confidence is soaked in tears. Takeaway for Today Lamentations 2:18 models a wholehearted, unedited cry. The Lord does not scold sorrow; He welcomes it. Let tears run their course in His presence, trusting that the God who hears every sob also promises ultimate comfort and restoration. |
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