The Sistene Chapel at the Vatican City is truly one of the wonders of the world. It is a magnificent building with equally magnificent pieces of art painted by none other than Michelangelo. If you have never seen it before, Google it!
On the ceiling of this chapel, there are seven Old Testament prophets painted, with one of them being the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah is depicted as an old man sitting on a throne-like chair. His legs are spread and crossed, with a red garment over them (symbolizing that he was martyred). He is hunched over, with his hand resting underneath his nose and supporting him. His eyes are narrowly opened as he stares at the ground. You can tell he is burdened. He looks tired, even defeated. He looks like a man who has seen and endured a lot!
When we look at the prophet Jeremiah’s life from the book that bears his name (and that he authored), we see this depiction to be accurate. Jeremiah had a tough ministry. He was sent to a people who did not want to hear what he had been sent to say. The man had been beaten and persecuted. There were days and times that he was ready to give up and quit. He even shares with us his thoughts, struggles, and complaints in his book. Sometimes, Jeremiah has been called the “Weeping Prophet!”
In light of this all, I find Jeremiah to be one of the most relatable prophets. I love his honesty. I love how he shares with us his struggles, reminding us that even the prophets had it hard! One of the appointed readings last month shows this well, and it teaches us an important concept in our relationship with God. It teaches us lament. The text is Jeremiah 20:7-13.
In chapter 20, Jeremiah is imprisoned for preaching, beaten by Pashur the Priest, and put in the stocks at the temple. After a night in the stocks, Jeremiah is released, and he prophesies against Pashur and the nation saying that they will be carried into exile by Babylon. Certainly not a fun or easy message to preach! It is on the heels of this that the text zooms in on. Verses seven to eighteen are Jeremiah’s prayer and lament to God. We have much to learn from this.
But, before we begin, an important note needs to be said about lament in the Old Testament. Lament is a normal way of speaking to the Lord. In some ways, it is even encouraged! The words may seem a bit shocking to us, the tone may even sound offensive, and it might sound like it is said in a spirit of unbelief, but it is not. We will build on this in a moment. Hear what Jeremiah says in 20:7-8.
“O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, ‘Violence and destruction!’ For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.’”
Do these sound like the words and thoughts of a prophet to you? Can you imagine talking to God like this? Can you believe some say it is a “normal” or acceptable way to talk to God? Hardly! Right?
In reality, though, lament is considered an act of faith. You do not get angry at a God you do not believe in. You do not question a God that you do not trust in. Jeremiah is expressing his hurt and frustration to God. He is telling God what he feels and experiences. He knows the promises and faithfulness of God, but, to him, it seems like they are absent or untrue. So, he tells God.
In lament, we call upon God to be faithful to His Word and promises because we know He must be! God cannot lie or break His Word and promises. We are wrestling with the reality that what we are seeing and experiencing seems to be contrary to God’s Word. Tell God your pain. Tell God your frustrations. Tell Him what weighs upon you and burdens your heart, your mind, and your soul. He wants you to!
Jeremiah then moves to another feature of lament in verses 11 to 12. He leaves the action and resolution in God’s hands. He says, “But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.”
Notice who does the action. Notice who will take vengeance. It is God. Jeremiah will not do it. God will rescue and deliver. Jeremiah places it in God’s hands, who always acts righteously, and for our eternal good in Jesus Christ. Like Jeremiah, we place these things into God’s mighty hands. We place them in the hands of the One Who loves us unconditionally. We place them in the hands of the One Who knows us better than ourselves. We place them in the hands of the One Who created everything, and has authority over all things. We place them in the hands of our Savior Who has won for us eternal life, forgiveness, and salvation. We cannot place them anywhere better!
Then, in verse 13, we see the last aspect of lament: rejoicing and trusting in God! The prophet says, “Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.”
After committing his cause to God, Jeremiah expresses trust and joy in God. He has not been delivered yet, but trusts that he will be. He trusts in the Lord’s faithfulness and answer, even though he is not certain how He will answer. Jeremiah proceeds in faith, in trust, even though the future is uncertain. In our lives, we proceed in faith, in trust, even though we do not know how God will answer. We express confidence and trust in the God Who sent His Son to die for us, and to save us from our sins.
In Jeremiah’s prayer and lament, we see this wonderful pattern that we can apply to our faith lives. Jeremiah calls on God, and makes his appeal. He reminds God of His promises and nature, and expresses trust in Him. I found this to be a helpful pattern of prayer. We bring our problems and petitions to God, expressing our pain, worries, and frustrations. As we do, we ground ourselves in His promises and Word, proceeding forward in faith, rather than wallowing in a pity party.
As we go through this challenging time, I hope Jeremiah’s faith life and prayer encourages you. You are not alone in the struggles and challenges you face and feel. You are not the only one who can feel hurt and frustrated. You have a Lord that walks alongside you that encourages you to bring these things to Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXI, Number 12, July 2020)