Hope Springs from Truth Rehearsed

God’s faithfulness is still great.” This is where biblical lament is transformative. It not only gives voice to the pain you feel but also anchors your heart to truths you believe— or   are trying to believe when dark clouds linger. Something bad may have happened in your life, which is why you are reading this book. Whatever the reason, loss can feel like a wasteland. It’s devastating. But lament helps us to rehearse biblical truth so hope will return. Despite what you see, despite what you feel, despite what you think, lament can be a supply of grace as you affirm that God’s mercies are new every   day. (pp. 106-107).

The good news is that if you’re at the bottom, God can meet you there. Lament is the language of those stumbling in their journey to find mercy in dark clouds. (pp. 108-109).

Lament dares to hope while life is hard. (p. 110).

Lament is a prayer of faith despite your fear. I want you to learn from this shift in mind-set. Lamentations shows us that hope does not come from a change of circumstances. Rather, it comes from what you know to be true despite the situation in front of you. (p. 110).

In the midst of the darkest moments of your life, I hope you’ll have the courage and conviction to say: “But I call to mind what God is like. I’m going to rehearse what I know to be true. I’m going to recite what I know I believe. I’m going to dare to hope.” (p. 111).

Lament can help you by rehearsing the truth of the Bible— to   preach to your heart, to interpret pain through the lens of God’s character and his ultimate mercy. In our laments we express the sorrow we feel. But we also rehearse the truths we believe. We interpret pain through the lens of God’s character and his ultimate mercy. (pp. 111-112).

In lament, we are honest with the struggles of life while also reminding ourselves that God never stops being God. His steadfast love never ends. He is sufficient. Therefore, our hope is not in a change of circumstances but in the promise of a God who never stops being merciful— even when dark clouds loom. His mercy never ceases. (pp. 113-114).

God doesn’t delight in the pain of his children. Rather, there are loving purposes behind every tear. You just can’t see what they are yet. You don’t know the whole story of what God is doing. In some cases there may be a day when you will be able to see the purposes of God. But usually things are not that clear. Instead, we have to simply trust that God is good. We have to believe his intentions are kind— that somehow pain and hardship are for our ultimate good. (p. 117).

Lament is the language that moves us from our sorrow toward the truth of God’s promises. This minor-key song gives us courage to dare to hope again. When dark clouds linger, our laments can proclaim, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” Hope springs from truth rehearsed.

Vroegop, Mark. Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy (p. 119). Crossway. Kindle Edition.