Pour Out Your Heart Like Water

Intro

Babies cry for all sorts of different reasons.

It’s there only way to communicate!

*Be funny and talk about not knowing what is wrong with a baby*

As we grow up, we don’t cry nearly that often (most of us, anyway).

There are still things in life that will bring us to tears.

I am already regretting choosing this sermon series. Lament is heavy, which is why its so easy to avoid.

Instead of avoiding, I want us to be mindful of our present or recent past lament.

For me, this is about losing a stillborn daughter 4.5 years ago and losing my Mom 6 months ago.

This is my story! What is yours?

God Has Kept His Word (v. 17)

Remind everyone about the historical context and lessons learned last week.

Destruction of Jerusalem; exile of the people of Judah, suffered at the hand of God in righteous response to their sins and abandonment of the covenant.

The Lord is in the right!

Pour Out Your Heart Like Water (v. 19)

“Pouring out” is a constant theme in Lamentations 2.

The Lord “has poured out his fury like fire” (v. 4); “bile is poured out to the ground” (v. 11); “life is pour out” (v. 12).

Lastly, the call to “pour out your heart like water” (v. 19)

Be completely honest with your emotions (v. 18):

With yourself

“Loss is not the enemy; not facing its existence is.” (Dr. H. Norman Wright)

Men: It is most courageous to legitimize your loss and be willing to show emotions (e.g. King David)

Of course this is true for women too! Unresolved grief and past wounds can continually hurt us.

Action step: Talk to me or seek counselling; it helps!

With God

Cf. Psalm 62:5-8.

This is King David’s example of - not only being honest with his own emotion - but encouraging God’s people to be honest with Him.

“Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!” (v. 19)

in the presence of the Lord" = "before the FACE of the Lord"

We are commanded to bring our grief right before God’s very eyes.

He can handle it! He wants your honest emotion; your heart’s cry.

*Talk about reaction after losing Selah*

As David has reminded us, “God is a refuge for us.”

In His presence, it is safe to be sad, frightened, angry, sorrowful… come as you are.

This is a call to pray (“lift hands” in v. 19)

Cf. Psalm Psalm 28:2.

Specifically a prayer for help and deliverance.

Why are we invited (commanded?) to pour out our hearts to God? Because He is the ONLY one who can truly give us the help we need.

The people of Judah cried out to God, even though He was punishing them, because they recognized He is their help.

God is our help and deliverance, even when our situation isn’t fixed the way we would want it to be.

*Lesson learned with Mom’s illness = ask and accept*

No matter the nature of our loss (or type of answer to our prayers), God is the one who can grant us mercy and deliver us from the valley.

Counselling is great, support from friends is crucial, but in order to navigate the most broken parts of life we REQUIRE the unconditional grace and love of God.

He ALONE is above our brokenness, and He alone promises that one day we will be fully restored.

You can start a prayer journal to capture your prayers to God and to record the ways in which He lovingly delivers you in your lament.

Your heartfelt prayer of lament is a sacrifice.

Cf. 1 Samuel 7:3-6.

In Judah’s story, pouring out like water was an acknowledgement of sin and return to God… exactly what they need!

Similar to the drink offering in Tabernacle and Temple worship, “poured out” to the Lord.

In your story, pouring out your heart like water is a sacrifice of lament that cries out to God and asks Him for help.

All of this points us to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

Hebrew root word for “pour out” is the same for “shed blood”

Jesus poured Himself out - shed His blood - so that we can be seen, heard, and delivered in our anguish and grief.

Cf. John 19:33-35.

We are invited to pour out our hearts to God because He has already poured out his life for us.

The Lord Hears You and Sees You (v. 20)

What did the people of Judah desire? What do we desire in our own grief? We want God to be mindful of us. To hear us and see us.

Look, Oh Lord, and see = Look, Yawheh, and TAKE NOTE. Notice me in my lament.

This was true for Judah:

Cf. Jeremiah 29:10-14.

NOT a passage for high school grads; a message of hope for people in deep, deep mourning.

This remains true for us today.

God doesn’t passively hear you like we hear a train in the distance. He doesn’t passively see you like when I glance over the object in the fridge I am looking for.

God is MINDFUL of you. His heart is turned towards you. He hears your cries, He shares your grief, and He promises a future where He can wipe away every tear.

*Share story of crying with boys at dinner table*

Until we reach that promised eternal future, we will need to continue to learn how to lament well in a broken world.

Conclusion

Our lesson today is all about honest emotion.

Be honest with yourself in your loss and grief.

Honestly pour out your heart to God. He can take it, and He can help.

God sees you, hears you, and takes notice of you. In your darkest moments you can cling to the fact that Jesus has already poured himself out for you.

Pray.