Fellow Christian Lutherans, consider the importance of lament in our lives. The fact that we, as Christians, are called to be faithful to Christ and His Word means that we call out to Him in every situation, including deep despair and anger. This is living under the first and second commandments and part of our prayer life as we pray the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.”
Now let us look at a psalm which is a lament for the Church. Psalm 10 (which also can be placed under the second commandment and the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer) laments over the enemies of the Church. Who are those enemies? Make no mistake: They are the devil and all those who follow his ways. Now open up your Bibles, everyone, and look at Psalm 10.
Verse one starts out with a question that we often ask. Why does it seem that God is far off, hiding in times of trouble? This is an oft-asked question. It is seen many times in Scripture. This is comforting because it tells us that it is okay to question, to express disappointment or frustration. The truth is that He isn’t far off; perhaps He is hiding, but as we have discussed before, God has His ways and reasons for doing things that we cannot always understand. We are, after all, creatures, not the Creator. Again, I reiterate that it is desirable to the Lord that we ask even if we don’t get an answer.
The following ten verses speak of the wicked and their boasting, arrogant, greedy, and oppressive ways toward the poor, the innocent, and the helpless. The wicked say in their heart, “There is no God,” or “God has forgotten, He doesn’t see me.” This is the self-justification mode kicking in. “Since God doesn’t exist, or even if he did,” we say, “He’s not looking at anything I do. I can do whatever I please in order to gain for myself.” Not only the devil plays a part in this, but even our own Old Adams sink to low levels. Look at verse two where the psalmist says, “Let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.” This is a prayer in which we ask God to fulfill His promise to make sure the unjust get their due rewards.
Verse twelve picks up again the prayer that God will see to it. “Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.” It continues with the comfort that the Lord will hear, will act, and will give strength to the poor and afflicted Church. He will not let His Church die. We are His bride, and He is the perfect Husband.
Take heart and have hope, God’s people! Even though it appears as though we have been abandoned, that our existence here seems innocuous, not making a difference to our communities, we are not those things. God is not done with us yet. He only asks that we remain faithful because He is ALWAYS faithful. So, pray the lament of Psalm 10 and rejoice!
By Deaconess Janet Nicol, Word of Hope Phone Counselor