Light at the End of the Tunnel | Lamentations 4:1–22

Introduction:

Image:

The world’s longest tunnel. In June 2016, the BBC reported on the opening of the world’s longest and deepest tunnel — Gotthard Tunnel. It is approximately 35 miles long, and it is located in Switzerland, under the Swiss Alps. According to the report, the engineers had to tunnel through 73 different kinds of rock. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250]

Historically, there is a phrase that has been used to identify the end of the dark, tunnel experience. It is the phrase “there is a light at the end of the tunnel.” The idea with this phrase is to say that though it is dark, damp, and we feel claustrophobic where we are, there is an end in sight — “there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Subject:

Biblical lament does have a light at the end of the tunnel.

Illustration: Bat/Spin game

Need:

Because we tend to cope with life by immersing ourselves in our phones which constantly give us information about the here/now, we need a clear guiding light through darkness.

Because grief over personal sexual sin can cloud our judgment, we need a clear guiding light in the midst of darkness.

Because grief over personal bitterness can seem impossible to overcome, we need to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Because grief over the loss of a child or spouse can overwhelm us, we need to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Because grief over being neglected by a parent can emotionally overwhelm us, we need a clear guiding light in the midst of darkness.

Because our hearts can be emotionally overwhelmed by the slander of those who call themselves friends, we need a clear guiding light in the midst of darkness.

Because of grief over the failure of our plans, we need a light at the end of the tunnel.

Because grief over fallen leaders can scare us, we need a clear guiding light in the midst of darkness.

Because sin can be disorienting, we need a clear point of reference in the midst of darkness.

Am I lamenting in view of the light at the end of the tunnel?

Text:

True lament must have at least three perspectives in view: past, present, and future. Lamentations 4:22 is a good summary verse for the chapter but you should note that this verse looks both at the past, present, and future from the perspective of the writer.

Lamentations 4:22 KJV 1900

22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

Preview

The past - the punishment of thine iniquity

The present - is accomplished

The future - he will no more carry thee away into captivity (exile)

When learning to lament, there is a light at the end of the tunnel; but the light at the end of the tunnel is meaningless if we do not take an honest look at the past and present realities.

Who needs a light at the end of the tunnel of you think that the tunnel is well-lit (not considering present reality)? Worse, who cares about the light at the end of the tunnel if you don’t think that you ever entered a tunnel (not looking at the past)?

Body:

(1) The Tunnel - The punishment of thine iniquity (v. 1 - 16)

Idea:

Biblical lamentation requires that you see your sin in all of its nastiness. [honest]

Show in the text

Honest Nostalgic Comparisons (v. 1 - 12)

comparison between gold and precious sons/pottery (v. 1 & 2) [Original creation…etc]

comparison between animals and humans (3 & 4)

comparison between past and present (5-6)

comparison between past purity and present impurity (v. 7-8)

comparison between modes of death (v. 9-10)

Horrible Narcissistic Leadership (v. 13-16)

They have shed blood through:

Not prophesying against sin - (2:14) II Timothy 4:3

Handing down “good-old boy” judgments - James 2:4-6

Illustration:

[The Tunnel is Darker Now Than When You First Entered It]

Explanation:

Sin and its’ consequences are much darker than we often want to face.

Example/Application:

For example, the parents who say they love their children and cannot remember life without them; yet, they are abusing or mistreating their children.

For example, the disgusting, conniving heart that justifies immense amounts of time with our faces in devices to the neglect of those in our home.

For example, the nasty sin of caring for the lovely and discarding of the unlovely.

For example, the disgusting oversight of sin within the body of Christ.

For example, the disgusting favoritism we offer our children versus those who don’t have a home.

Recap:

Biblical lamentation requires that you see your sin in all of its nastiness.

(2) The Darkness in the Tunnel - Is Accomplished (v. 17-20)

Idea:

Lamenting requires recognition of the demand for complete payment. [humility]

Show in the text

“is accomplished” is a Hebrew verb in the perfect tense, which means that it is communicating a particular kind of action rather than the timing of the action. The writer sees the action as completed. Sin must be finally and fully paid for. How then does the writer communicate that this payment was finally and fully made?

The Darkness of NO HELP: [Egypt could not help Jerusalem] (v. 17)

Jeremiah 37:6-9 “6 Then came the word of the Lord unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 7 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land. 8 And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire. 9 Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.”

The Darkness of In-Escapability [Babylon could not be escaped] (v. 18-19)

The Darkness of a Captured Leader [King Zedekiah is Captured] (v. 20)

Illustration:

The Troubling Case Against Kevin Cooper (48 Hours Podcast) - Death row, 3 hours, 42 minutes from being punished. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-cooper-case-death-row-inmate-san-quentin-murder-new-developments-48-hours/]

Explanation:

Sin, whether personal or cosmic, leaves us all in a state of complete hopelessness and it requires complete payment.

Example:

For example, there is the inescapable enemy of second death.

On the flip side, this truth can bring comfort to those unjustly treated — to know that the LORD will make all things right.

Recap:

Lamenting requires recognition of the demand for complete payment.

(3) The Light at the End of the Tunnel - He will no more carry thee away (v. 21-22)

Idea:

Lamenting requires that you believe the promises of God. [hope]

Show in the text

The promise of Justice [upon those before whom we were made naked] (v. 21-22) Psalm 137:7 “7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.”

The promise of Return from Exile (v. 22)

Illustration:

Isaiah’s prophetic career (742-701) Isaiah 29 prophecy concerning Jerusalem’s seige. Isaiah 30-31 Warning not to partner with Egypt. Isaiah 39:5 specific prophecy concerning Babylon carrying away Judah. Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 45:1 concerning Cyrus (post-exile). Ezra 1:1 Word of the Lord by Jeremiah; 558 - 530 BC Cyrus reigns over Persia. (150 years)

Because God has kept his word specifically about his justice, they could believe his word specifically about their return from exile.

Explanation:

When the punishment for sin is complete, people in exile can see light at the end of the tunnel, and this hope is based on the sure promise of God. There is no end to punishment unless the payment has been made in full; but because payment has been made, we are sure that God will bring sweet relief. We experience this sweet relief through faith in His promises:

When I’m faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice, And I’ll stand on every promise of Your word. Through this dark and troubled land You will guide me with your hand As I stand on every promise of Your word. And you’ve promised to complete Every work begun in me, So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word. [Stuart Townend, Every Promise of Your Word ]

Why do we and should we trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

Christological Application: Lamentations 2:20

“20 Behold, O Lord, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? Shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?”

Isaiah 49:8-9, 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-22 - gracious words

For the Christian, the light at the end of the tunnel is real because full payment for sin has been made by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, “It is finished” so that the Christian could say, “I am free.”

In Lamentations we have King Zedekiah who is the breath of the nostrils for Israel

In Luke we have King Jesus who breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam

In Lamentations we have King Zedekiah who is the anointed king of Israel

In Luke we have King Jesus who is anointed with the very Spirit of God

In Lamentations we have King Zedekiah who is unwillingly caught in the trap of the enemy

In Luke we have King Jesus who willingly walked towards the trap for the sake of his enemies

In Lamentations we have King Zedekiah who was to provide protective shade for Israel from the nations

In Luke we have King Jesus who absorbed God’s wrath to offer protective shade to the nations

In Lamentations we have King Zedekiah and his people going into exile for sin

In Luke we have King Jesus going into exile for the release of sinners.

It is this King Jesus who lamented in view of the light at the end of the tunnel. Hebrews 12:2 “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We can believe the promises of God because of Jesus’ finished work. I Peter 1:17-21 “17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”

Recap:

Lamenting requires that you believe the promises of God in Jesus Christ.

Bridge:

Am I lamenting in view of the light at the end of the tunnel?

Lamenting in view of the light at the end of the tunnel requires...

[Honesty]...that we are honest about the nastiness of our sin — that we honestly evaluate the past.

[Humility]...that we recognize the demand for complete payment for sin — that we honestly evaluate darkness of the present.

[Hopefulness]...that we believe in the promises of God because of the finished work of Jesus.

Conclusion:

The light at the end of the tunnel must change and direct your progress right now.

Illustration:

Father, last week I did not have anxiety over health, but today I am controlled by my anxiousness. Oh, Father, thank you that Jesus paid the full price for the sin of my anxiousness. Would you please help me to grieve over my sin, repent of this sin, and trust that you will deliver me according to your will.

Lord, five years ago my marriage was so much more happy, but today my wife and I are separated by personal sin. Father, I know that Jesus Christ has fully paid for my sin, but I need you to help me acknowledge and repent of my sin. Help our marriage to be free from sin.

Lord, last week I was joyfully expectant. This week I am mourning loss by no fault of my own. Father, would you help me to lament in light of the loss you experienced for my soul — the loss of your Son? Would you allow me to grieve, knowing that you are the Light at the end of my tunnel?

Avic Holding Lament Reading…My Sins! My Sins!

MY SINS! MY SINS!

My heart is a sin-pool; I cannot even count the swarms of sinful thoughts, words, and actions that have flowed from it.

My head and my heart are full from the load of guilt that is on my soul. My mind and body are full of sin.

My sins, they stare at me! My creditors are upon me. Every commandment takes hold of me, for more than ten thousand talents, yes, ten thousand times ten thousand.

How endless then is the sum of all my debts! If this whole world were filled up from earth to heaven with paper, and all this paper written over by mathematicians, yet, when all were added up, it would still fall inconceivably short of what I owe to the least of God’s commandments.

For my debts are infinite, and my sins are increased. They are wrongs to an infinite Majesty.

And if one who commits treason here on earth is worthy to be punished, what have I deserved—someone who has so often lifted up my hand against heaven, and have struck at the crown and dignity of the Almighty? It would be better to have all the regiments of hell come against me than to have my sins fall upon me. Lord, I am surrounded! The sands are many, but then they are not great. The mountains are great, but then they are not many. But my sins are as many as the sands, and as mighty as the mountains. Their weight is greater than their number. It would be better that the rocks and the mountains fall upon me, than that the crushing and unsupportable load of my own sins would remain. If my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my sins laid in the balance together, they would be heavier than the sand of the sea. O Lord, you know my mighty sins. They have brought nothing but misery. What a mess I am in! I am sold as a slave to sin, cast out of your favor, cursed in my body, and cursed in my soul. I am cursed in my name, in my relations, and in all that I have. My soul is within a step of death. What do I do? Where will I go? Which way will I look? Where should I flee? What place could hide me from your presence, everywhere? What could secure me from your unlimited power? Will I linger any longer like this, the way I was? No. If I waited there as I was, I would die. What then? Is there no help? No hope? None, unless I turn. But is there any remedy for such woeful misery? Any mercy? Yes! As sure as your promise is true, God, I will have pardon and mercy—if I now genuinely, and without reservation, turn by Christ to you. So I thank you on the bended knees of my soul, O most merciful Jehovah, that your patience has waited for me. Because if I had died as I was before, I would have perished forever. And now I adore your grace, and accept the offer of your mercy. I renounce all my sins, and resolve by your grace to set myself against them, and to follow you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. Amen. —Joseph Alleine

Cited from: Elmer, Robert. Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans (pp. 197-199). Lexham Press. Kindle Edition.

Give examples (positive/negative)

As elect exiles, we show faith in the promises of the future together as we gather today.

As elect exiles, we show faith in the promises of the future together as we participate in mission.

As elect exiles, we show faith in the promises of the future together as we serve the vulnerable.

End with final clear statement of the bumper sticker idea

Lamentation is a continual reflection on the past, present, and future in light of the finished work and word of Christ.

Entering Time of Meditation:

What is a present stress in your life today — that was not a stress previously? Is it a sin? Is it a matter of suffering?

How have you responded to this present stress? By looking to the promises of God in Jesus or by neglecting God’s promises?

Have you formed this stress into a prayer of lament that is honest with God and expressing faith in His promises?

Call to Respond

Resources:

Valley of Vision

Piercing Heaven - Prayers of Puritans

Read Psalm 62 and write out a personal prayer of lament