We live in a Fallen World That Is Not as It Should Be Genesis 3 Most of us want to feel happy. Books and websites are filled with instructions and tips and strategies for how to feel happy. Lifehack.org has published a list of “101 Ways to Feel Happy on a Daily Basis.” The author describes it as a “simple solution” and says happiness is “ about doing small things to please yourself.” What do we do when we confront the hardships of life? These “happiness solutions” won’t fix fractured relationships or bring forgiveness for sin. They won’t heal loved ones from terminal illness or alleviate the suffering of neglected children. The reality is that we live in a world infected by sin and death. And Scripture doesn’t tell us to respond to pain and sorrow by trying to feel happy. Instead, God’s Word offers us a way to express our grief. This practice is called lament or lamentation, and this month in Today in the Word we’ll study what the Bible has to say about lament. We’ll also discover that the companion to lamentation is comfort—which is so much more than simply feeling happy. The reason that we have cause to lament can be found in our reading today. God created a world that He declared “very good” (Gen. 1:31). But Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation; instead of choosing to enjoy God’s good gifts and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him, they chose to fulfill their own desires for greater knowledge and pleasure (vv. 5-6). The consequences of their sin reverberated throughout all of creation. Their fellowship with God was obstructed, and their relationship was now contentious (vv. 10, 16). God-ordained work would now become difficult toil, and the harmony in creation between humanity and animals and the earth was disrupted (vv. 17-19). Pain and suffering would now be a reality of human existence. Apply the Word The Bible is both completely true and also utterly honest. That means that God doesn’t sugarcoat suffering , and He doesn’t ask His people to do that either. As we study lament and comfort this month, ask the Lord to help you to practice truth and honesty in your own prayers to Him and in your conversations with others, even when the practice of lament is difficult. Today in the Word
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:53:01 +0000