The Lord is in the Right

Intro

*Talk (in a funny way) about being awkward around Karen when she cries*

Why Lamentations? Because we don’t often focus on lament as a church.

Found this to be true when teaching through the psalms.

But to lament well is much more than just grieving or mourning.

Anyone can be sad; we all go through loss.

Scripture teaches us how we can lament in such a way that honours our loss, honours God, and honours others.

The Tragedy (Story)

The fall of Judah began when taken as a vassal state into the Babylonian empire

Occured during the time of King Jehoiakim

Babylon took some spoil and elite people of Judah (like Daniel), but Judah could still operate

Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar)

He died before the rebellion was over, replaced by his son Jehoiakin

The Babylonians crushed this rebellion, taking all the wealth from the Temple and palace, as well as many captives (including Jehoiakin).

Jehoiakin’s uncle Mattaniah was placed on the throne under the name Zedekiah.

Even Zedekiah rebelled… and Nebuchadnezzar had enough.

Jerusalem (including the Temple) was completely destroyed, and the people of Judah were exiled.

The Lament

This tragic event is what led the author of Lamentations to write these words:

Read Lamentations 1:1-22

Lamentations = 5 poems of lament, all spurring from the devastation of Jerusalem & exile.

Author - Likely Jeremiah; could have been a few that contributed.

Jerusalem - once the apple of God’s eye - is now destroyed.

Everything is turned upside down (v. 1b)

The city is described as a widow (v. 1)

A common metaphor to describe a helpless situation

This “widow” (the city itself) is the main speaker for most of the chapter.

This fall is full of filth and disgrace (v. 8 - 9)

To top it all off, Jerusalem has no one to give her comfort.

A constant theme (v. 2, 9, 16, 17, 21)

The people sought comfort outside of the Lord, but when tragedy struck, they were abandoned. (Friends as foes v. 2)

*Focus on the students: Your real friends are there during the most difficult of times*

Where do you look to for comfort and help?

They cry out to God, realizing only now that He is the only they can turn to for comfort.

The Reason

Why did this happen? Why is it too late for them to cry out to God? Because the people of Judah are being justly punished for their sins.

Read Lamentations 1:5

The chosen people had abandoned their covenant with God by not adhering to the Law, and worshipping false idols.

The prophet Jeremiah (likely author) has spent his LIFE desperately calling the people back to God.

But now it is too late; they didn’t heed the warnings of the prophet, and God has exercised His judgement on them.

We can’t always be sure of the reason for the difficult things in life.

Judah had a unique relationship and covenant with the Lord.

They were told (warned!) about the reason.

Our relationship with the Lord is different, thanks to Jesus Christ.

He has paid the price for our sins, so we do not have to pay the price (like Judah did).

Have you placed your trust in the forgiveness of Jesus?

Jesus will enact the final, eternal judgement.

Lamentations 1:15 uses “winepress” to express judgement.

Similar to Revelation 19:11-16 (read this)

Judgement is still to come! All the hope is found in Christ alone. He is our judge, and He is our saviour.

The Lord is in the Right

“The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word” (v. 18)

The city declares that God is responsible for her sorry estate… and that He is completely justified in it.

The people had not only sinned against God, but they had done so repeatedly, ignoring the cries of the prophets. God’s justice was justified.

Some translations = “The Lord is righteous”

This means that God is doing the right thing. The punishment was deserved.

In order for us to begin our lament, we must also declare, “the Lord is in the right.”

Again, this does not mean we are necessarily being punished for our sins.

It is wrong to view every bad thing that happens to you as coming down from a divine directive!

Instead, this is an acknowledgement that in the middle of our grief and loss, God is still sovereign. He is still in control. He is still working out His good purposes in what He allows to happen.

*Share the “he is still on his throne” sermon from Humbolt*

God is no less sovereign, righteous, powerful and loving in the middle of your grief. He is in the right!

This is especially important to acknowledge when we don’t have the answers, when we don’t understand, “why?”

Our lack of answers has no bearing on the fact that God is in the right; His ways are higher than our ways.

Remember, Job didn’t “deserve” any of his grief.

But God didn’t give Job any answers, He gave Him a reminder. I am God, and you are not. I am in the right.

Cf. Job 40:6 - 9.

Look at Job’s response (read Job 42:2-6)

He acknowledges his place before God.

What this means for us is that our lament begins with lamenting our loss of control.

We cannot control what happens to us. God is sovereign, and we are not.

We cannot control having answers to the reasons why these things happen to us. God is sovereign, and we are not.

By acknowledging our lack of control - and God’s sovereignty - we are able to mourn and grieve well.

Conclusion

Now this sermon is an incomplete thought. The Lord is truly in the right, but His ways are still full of love and compassion for His people.

Read Jeremiah 30:17.

Just like the people of Judah, the Lord meets you in your grief with the promise to heal your wounds. He is in the right, but His righteousness is displayed in comfort, love and compassion.

As we continue to work through Lamentations, the fuller picture of lament will be revealed:

God is sovereign and righteous, God desires to hear your truest heart’s cry, God is faithful and true, and God restores His people.

Pray.