Lamenting from a the Broken Heart | Lamentations 2:1–22

Title: Learning to Lament: Dealing with the Broken Heart [What do I do with a heart broken because of God's righteous anger?]

Text: Lamentations 2:1-22

Series: Learning to Lament

Date: 09/05/21

Introduction:

The Image

In Season #2 of the drama series The Chosen, the producers add artistic creativity to the story of Mary Magdalene. For most of the episodes she had been a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, but in a moment of crisis, she is depicted as returning to her vices of drinking and gambling in order to cope with her situation. In the drama series, when Peter and Matthew find her, she has a tension brewing within her. She knows she has messed up. She is crying and feels as though Jesus would not want her back. It is in those moments that she reveals the brokenness of a woman who is heart-broken over her own sin.

The image of a broken heart is not difficult to conceive, but the cause of a broken heart can be different for everyone. David said to the Lord, "...a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:17). David had a broken, grieving heart because of his own sin. It was not only his own sin but earlier in the same chapter he admitted that God has broken his bones. He was heart broken over his own sin and suffering the affliction of His Lord.

Some hearts are broken because of their own struggle with sin.

Other hearts are broken because of the dragnet of God’s anger over sin.

The scripture is full of examples of people who suffer as part of God’s cosmic judgment — whether it is the judgment on the world or a a particular nation. There is Joseph betrayed by his brethren. There is Ruth who suffers the loss of her husband and people. There is Daniel who is exiled to Babylon. There is Esther who is under foreign rule and then sent to be part of the king’s harem. There is Jeremiah who is mistreated and wrongfully imprisoned. Many of these examples have moments where they manifest a broken heart or the pain of what they are enduring.

Whether the broken heart is because of a personal sin struggle or the dragnet of God’s anger against sin — there is real internal pain that is associated.

The Subject

Remember that lament is:

Lament is an expression of deep sorrow that exposes confidence in God’s steadfast love and in hope in God’s sure justice.

But what Lamentations 2 is going to teach us is that in learning to lament we must learn to express grief from our broken hearts by faith in our righteous Lord.

Need:

Generation Z are children who were born between 1999 - 2015, according to Barna Research. The research also turns up something interesting, many indicate suffering from "nomophobia" or a feeling of anxiety anytime they are separated from their phone [Generation Z: The Culture, Beliefs and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation, (Barna Group and Research 360 Institute, 2018) p. 15]

What the research turns up is that technology and media has become a means of not only receiving information but also expressing self. "Social media allows them to create net- worked communities where they actively take part in self-expression and identity formation." (Ibid, p. 19)

Unfortunately, this leads to two sinful practices: (1) Attempting to express the best self image on social media (often a fabrication) (2) Expressing through technology (i.e. cell phones, messengers apps...etc) words that we would not say to a persons face and/or gossip about other people with the allusion that we are not accountable.

This is not only a problem for Gen-Z, but it is a problem for mankind. When we feel a certain way or when we hurt we turn to something or someone to express that hurt or that feeling. The Lord has given us a means for the proper expression of pain, but often we are guilty of neglecting that in favor of what we think is more convenient ways of expression.

Is there a biblical way to deal with frustration, hurt, and injustice resulting from either sin in a fallen world or cosmic sin?

Text:

Lamentations 2:11-12 shows the deep hurt of these people, and the rest of the chapter will show us...

Preview:

What the broken hearted must (1) believe, (2) hear, and (3) express in learning to lament.

Kid’s Pause: Sadness is part of life, but the Bible teaches us how to respond when we are sad.

Body:

What do I do with a heart broken because of God's righteous anger?

(1) [Learning to Lament:] You must believe in your heart the truth about the LORD (v. 1-10)

Statement of Idea: The LORD'S anger is active and is based in is His righteous character.

Illustration:

The children of Israel had waiting for Moses for 40 days. Not knowing where he was, they decided to make an idol and call it Yahweh. In the fire, they forged a molten calf out of gold. Listen to the words of Yahweh. Exodus 32:10 - His anger and activity go together.

Exodus 32:10 KJV 1900

10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Explanation:

Lamentations 2:1-10 overwhelmingly emphasize that the LORD is the One who brought about the affliction and suffering of his people (II Chronicles 36:14-21). Secondly, the writer emphasizes that it is the day of the Lord's anger (Lamentations 2:1, 3, 21-22). The anger of the Lord is the indignation that he has unleashed against sin. The LORD hates sin.

We have a quandary here. How come God gets to hate, but if we hate, Jesus says it is murder?

It is because the LORD is perfectly righteous, and his anger is because of this righteousness. The writer intentionally uses two names for the Lord in this passage. Adon (2:1-2,5,18,19) is the Master. This name presumes a relationship.

Yahweh (2:6,7,8,9,17,20, 22) is the covenant name that identifies the Lord as the One who marks righteousness because He is righteous (see Lamentations 1:18). The meaning of this is that for God to remain true to his nature, he must do something about unrighteousness.

Wayne Grudem: "God’s righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right."

This means that God must always treat people according to what they deserve or he is acting contrary to his nature.

[App: Not, “Why has this happened to me; but why doesn’t this happen to me all of the time? OR “Why is there any relief at all?”]

The LORD'S anger is active and based in is His righteous character.

Example:

Process Theology is a false teaching about the God of the Bible, that ultimately teaches that God is developing with mankind. Alan Cairns says that Process Theology is a response to mankind’s inability to reconcile all the evil in the world with a good God; but because we do not understand the suffering completely, we do not have the right to take deny the attributes of the LORD as given in scripture. In fact, the believing that the LORD is righteous is key to understanding the pain which leads to our broken hearts.

Application:

(1) The righteousness of the LORD is why no one will escape the wrath of the LORD. John 3:36

John 3:36 KJV 1900

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(2) A broken heart should not begin with personal feelings but with the absolute truth of God’s nature.

Kid’s Pause: Your own feelings can mislead you, but the truth about Who God is can give you clear direction.

What do I do with a heart broken because of God's righteous anger?

believe in your heart the truth about the Lord

(2) [Learning to Lament:] You must hear honest counsel about yourself/your situation before the LORD (v. 11-19)

Statement of Idea: There is counsel that we must hear as we are entering lament.

Illustration:

Have you ever listened to a 911 operator call when someone in a traumatic situation calls in. On one such call, a child has stopped breathing. The operator had to get the caller calmed down in order to guide the caller in performing CPR on a child.

In like manner, this chapter is the LORD’S description of what has really happened and counsel that must be heard in order to get through this.

Explanation: Lamentations 2:11-12 shows the deep grief of the affliction. Sin has devastating consequences on our children.

[App: not eating them, but consuming them for our perpetuity -- the sin of pride where parents are using their kids to fit in with other parents; and seeing this the other way around too; kids, because of the sin of greed, doing this to older parents].

Lamentations 2:13-17 shows how a false prophets/spiritual leaders left people in self-destructive sin. Spiritual leaders must communicate clearly truth about you and about your situation — even when you are heart broken.

[App: spiritual awareness of poor shepherds - you want spiritual servants who will speak explicitly about sin. Parents in home, husbands and wives at home, servant leaders at church] - Jesus would later compare shepherds to hirelings...

Do you do what you do because you get paid or because you’ve been changed by the Good Shepherd?

Now that they been forced to stop, the counsel in Lamentations 2:18-19 is to pour out your heart before the face of the Lord. This is a reference to mourning, and turning from sin -- leaving nothing hidden before the Lord.

Example: I Samuel 7:6

Application:

(1) When you are hurting, turn to counsel from the Lord’s word. [Example: II Timothy 3:1, 16]

(2) When you are hurting, the LORD has graciously provided a body of people that is the pillar and ground of the truth - the church. Lament is not only individual but corporate. [Romans 12:15]

Romans 12:15 KJV 1900

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Kid’s Pause: Listen to the Lord from His Word.

What do I do with a heart broken because of God's righteous anger?

believe in your heart the truth about the Lord

hear honest counsel

(3) [Learning to Lament:] You must express your heart to the LORD (v. 20-22)

Statement of Idea: There must be a faithful expression of grief to the Lord.

Illustration: Story of Hannah in I Samuel 1:10, 15-16

1 Samuel 1:15–16 KJV 1900

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Explanation: Lamentations 2:20-22 shows in practice what the counsel gave in principle.

[App: Much of our problem is not that we don't know how, but that we are so weak in faith that we don't practice.]

Pouring out your heart like water before the Lord should be like identifying as a Christian. It is a practice which we need and for which we have been equipped.

Example:

Application: Christological

I Samuel 7:6 - The mourning/cleansing practice established

Psalm 22:14 - The songwriter speaks of his afflicted condition in these terms

Isaiah 53:12 - The prophet speaks of the afflicted servant willingly pouring out his soul unto death

Mark 14:34-38 - Not only is Christ's soul sorrowful unto death, but he calls the Father ABBA; he admonishes the disciples who are sleeping because of grief to "Watch and pray..." (Luke 22:45 - sorrowful disciples)

Christ has opened the way for us to pour our hearts before the Lord by being completed poured out for us.

Romans 8:15, 23, 26 - The Spirit of Christ cries Abba and makes intercessions with groanings too deep for words

Bridge:

What do I do with a heart broken because of God's righteous anger? We must believe truth about the Lord; We must hear honest counsel about self/situation; We must express our heart to the Lord.

Conclusion:

(a) We must deal with our broken heart, whether frustrated over personal sin or caught in the dragnet of God’s anger cosmically.

(b) Illustration:

Recently, I was driving back from KY when I heard a loud bang in the engine. The truck would not go over app 25 miles per hour. I had a couple of options. Option one, since I was only one hour from home, I could just be extra careful and try to run the truck as long as I could go. That would have been my idea of getting through this. Option two, I could stop, have the truck towed and allow someone to diagnose and fix the problem.

Many people today, try to handle their broken heart themselves; but why wouldn’t we bring our brokenness to someone who has done and can do something about it. That is what lamenting is for.

believe in your heart the truth about the Lord

hear honest counsel

express your heart to the Lord

(c) Applications: This does not mean following our feelings and expressing them with hope in other saviors; but it does mean...

Stop pouring out your heart in texting and social media and pour out your heart to the Lord who loved you and gave himself for you. Repent of sin, and seek the comfort only he can provide. II Corinthians 1:3-5

2 Corinthians 1:3–5 KJV 1900

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 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. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today. Outside of the Person and promises of Jesus there is no hope of hurts being healed or wrongs being made right. Matthew 11:23-30

Matthew 11:23–30 KJV 1900

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

(d) In learning to lament we must learn to express grief from broken hearts by faith in our righteous Lord.