Ye Shall Weep And Lament

YE SHALL WEEP AND LAMENT

By John C. Carpenter

The Lord said to His disciples, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy (John 16:16-20). Referring, in context, to the deep sadness His disciples would experience at the ascension and absence of the Lord, John uses the term lament. In verse 20, the word lament is translated from the Greek word threneo, which means to bewail, mourn, to clamor, or to be greatly troubled. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines lament as to mourn aloud or to express sorrow or mourning demonstratively. Some describelamentation as a loud cry, a howl, or a passionate expression of grief and suffering.

Throughout the scriptures, lamention suggests strong emotions that believers feel because of suffering. Lament can be experienced by the individual or by a group, such as a nation, as painful circumstances occur leading to a loud crying out to God for His help. Pain and lament may be associated with circumstances in general, because of what others have done to us, or sometimes because of our own sinful behavior. Lamentation is not just a simple prayer, but a path that takes us through disappointment and brokenness, leading us eventually to God's mercy and, finally, action. Some even consider lamentation to be a process of moving from pain to the promises of God, which may or may not, according to God's will, include aid and deliverance. It seems that lamentation can be experienced by anyone, believer or unbeliever. Deep pain, suffering, and hopelessness, cause us, in desperation, to cry out loudly and desperately to God for His help. While in great suffering, need, and tribulation, even the one who does not know Christ can cry out with great lament and need before the Lord. However, because of the human tendency to self reliance, independence, and toughness, it is reasonable to think that there may be few who are seeking God alone, and thereby experience true, God-centered lamentation leading to and resulting in our trusting in and praising the Lord. Many bible scholars agree that true biblical lamentation typically involves five major elements: seeking God, expression of our pain to God, requesting something from God, trusing in God, and, finally, praising God for not only what He does for us, but for who He is.

SEEKING GOD

The first element of lamentation before God is seeking Him. It is not possible to have a relationship to our heavenly Father without turning to and seeking Him through patience, meditation, and prayer. We must give Him our full attention and see Him as our help.

First, we must understand that God is our source, our help, our strength, our deliverance, and our salvation.Isaiah clearly reminds us, that God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2), while the psalmist teaches that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea (Psalms 46:1-2). David, the psalmist, adds, He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God (Psalms 62:6-7).

Certainly, He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow [Hebrew, tsel, literal or figurative shade, hovering over, shadowing, or covered by defence] of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surelyhe shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even [specifically] the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling (Psalms 91:1-10).

In our lamenting pain, we must understand that turning to and seeking God is required, and that our heavenly Father is watching: God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God (Psalms 53:2). The prophet Isaiah encourages us concerniing God's loving presence, strength, and help: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). We are exhorted, O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth (Psalms 105:1-7). Seeking the Lord with faith brings reward. without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

From time to time, many of us seek the help of something or someone other than God. The truth is that, if we are experiencing such deep pain that we are driven to lamentation, who else can really help us, who else can we lament to other than God the Father, and not only hope for His help, but expect His love and help? The scriptures clearly teach us that there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:32-33).

EXPRESSING OUR PAIN TO GOD

The second element of lamenting to God the Father is expressing to Him our troubles, suffering, pain, and our need. Life can be really difficult sometimes. We all face pain, sadness, and struggles. It’s comforting to know that God sees our suffering, understands what we are going through, and is willing to help us.

The psalmist, David, tells us The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all (Psalms 34:17-19), while Jesus instructs us, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). God spoke through Isaiah, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10), and the apostle Peter adds that we should be Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). Whether we tell Him or not, our heavenly Father is aware of all our sufferiing: In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (Psalms 56:4-8).

Paul encouraged the church in Corinth with these words: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Cast thy burden [Hebrew, yehab, that which is ascribed to, properly what is given by providence, that is, a lot] upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalms 55:22). Again, David reminds us, Hear my cry [Hebrew, rinnah, a creaking or shrill sound, lamentation, a shout of joy or grief, proclamatin, or shouting], O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed [Hebrew, ataph, to shroud or clothe, the idea of darkness, to languish, to fail, faint, or swoon]: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings (Psalms 61:1-4).

Verbalizing our suffering and pain, our troubles, our needs, unto the Lord, leads to the presence of God with His healing words. Therefore, the scriptures instruct us to Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

ASKING SOMTHING OF GOD

The third element of our lamenting before the Lord is when we ask something of God – when we ask for His help in one way or another. Jesus taught His disciples, all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22).

God the Father has the answer to any and all of our needs, but we must ask for His help and guidance. Scriptures teach us, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:5-7). In his letter to the church in Philippi, the apostle Paul wrote the believers there, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7), while the great apostle Paul teaches, my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). One specific request we can and should ask of God the Father is for deliverance from the evil ways of this world. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father (Galatians 1:1-4).We should also ask the Lord for His blessing. The psalmist says, Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even [specifically] our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him (Psalms 67:5-7).

Lastly, if what we ask of God is according to His will, we shall receive what we ask for. Jesus instructed His own disciples, and us, to Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7-11).

TRUSTING GOD

The fourth element of lamentation before the Lord is the fact that we should trust Him. Many find trusting the Lord difficult, if not impossible. This is often because we have either not seen God answer our prayers at all, or not seen God answer our prayers in our timeframe or in the way we want. As a result, we either doubt that God is really there, believe that He does not answer prayer, or that He doesn't care about helping us - none of which is true. But, somewhere along our journey of faith, we must trust the Lord.

Scriptures offer us much instruction and encouragement regarding trusting God. For example, David exhorts us to Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass (Psalms 37:3-5). We are to trust in, delight in, and commit ourselves unto the Lord. David, the psalmist, says of God, O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me (Psalms 7:1). Later, David adds, Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust (Psalms 16:1). We are to trust rather than fear: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me (Psalms 56:3-4).

We are taught to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised (Hebrews 10:22-23). We should draw near and trust in the Lord because He is always faithful, even if His answers to our prayers and needs are not according to what we want, nor at the time we wanted it.

With these pertinent words, the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy not only that we should trust the Lord, but why we should trust the Lord: For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust [Greek, elpizo, to anticipate, to expect, to confide in, to have confidence in, or to have hope for] in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (1 Timothy 4:10). We are to trust because He is the living God who is the Savior of all men, expecially those that believe. Again, the psalmist teaches us about our trust of the Lord. We can and should always trust the Lord because God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalms 46:1-3). Jeremiah likewise teaches that we can trust God because He only has thoughts of peace where we are concerned. God said, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Let us offer a last example of why we can and should trust God. Through Isaiah, God encourages us to trust in Him. He said, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). God is with us, will strengthen us, will help us, and will uphold us. What is there not to trust?

PRAISING GOD

When we have painful needs and we cry out to God for help, this lamentation typically involves several steps along the way: we seek God, we express our deep need to Him, we then request something from God, then we trust in God [or we should] to provide His answer in His time, and, finally, we praise the Lord for not only what He does for for us, that is, the answer He provides, but we praise Him, or should praise, Him simply for who He is whether He answers our prayer needs or not.

The last element of lamentation to the Lord is the praise we should offer God, not only for what He does for us, but simply because of who He is. He is the creator of everything and our single source of life and salvation. The scriptures offer many verses which refer to praising the Lord.

The psalmist, David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, prayed, I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalms 34:1-4). David sought the Lord for help, God heard Him and delivered David from all his fears, and David's response was to praise the Lord, boast in God for the help He provided, magnified the Lord, and exalted God's name.Believers and unbelivers alike should and will praise God: All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard (Psalms 66:4-8).

In David's psalm of praise, we read, The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also willhear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever (Psalms 145:17-21). Again, we see the steps of Godly lamentation: the Lord responds to those who call upon Him, he will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him, He will hear their cry and save them, He will preserve all who love Him; and our response should be, as David's was, to speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. The author of the book of Hebrews specifically instructs us about the continuity of our praise: let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).

We should also praise the Lord because of who He is. David says, I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declarethy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: andhis tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works (Psalms 145:1-17).

And last, the psalmist sumarizes the import of praising the Lord with these words: Praise ye the LORD.Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD (Psalms 150:1-6).

Lamentation certainly involves our response to deep pain and suffering, but, with God, pain and suffering is not the end result. John summarizes for us the eventual fruit of our cries. He reminds us, That ye shall weep [Greek, klaio, to sob, wail aloud, to shed tears over deep pain, or to bewail] and lament [Greek,threneo, to bewail, or to mourn], but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow [Greek, lupe, sadness, grief, heaviness, and sorrow] shall be turned into joy [Greek, chara, cheerfulness, calm delight, great gladness, exceeding joy, or fullness of joy]. Just think, with God, our sobs, wails, shedding of tears, grief, sorrow, heaviness [dejection or depression], and our pain and suffering shall be transformed by our heavenly Father into cheerfulness, calm delight, extreme gladness, and exceeding joy. There is sufficient reason to praise Him. AMEN.

THE CHRISTIAN HERALD

A Judeo-Christian Bible Study

"Hereby perceive we

the love of God,

because he laid down his life for us: and

we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But

whoso hath this

world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in

him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;

but in deed

and in truth"

(1 John 3:16-18).

"But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved

by his life"

(Romans 5:8-10).

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”