Lamentations means tears. Often we...
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Lamentations means "tears." Often we see tears in the church -- tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of anger, tears of thanksgiving.
The book of Lamentations has many tears of sadness in its pages. The writer calls out to the Lord in Chapter 2, "Look, O Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this?" We too may cry out to God like this. In the beginning of chapter 3, we hear of great pain, fear and sorrow.
But we have hope in the same God as does the writer of Lamentations: "Because of the Lord's great compassion we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails."
In the Lutheran pastor's Occasional Services prayer book, a prayer for the dying includes a line from Lamentations: "O merciful Father, you teach us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children. Look with compassion on ______________ your servant, for whom we pray ..." We can always hope in our God, full of compassion for you and me.
-- Garrison
The book of Lamentations has many tears of sadness in its pages. The writer calls out to the Lord in Chapter 2, "Look, O Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this?" We too may cry out to God like this. In the beginning of chapter 3, we hear of great pain, fear and sorrow.
But we have hope in the same God as does the writer of Lamentations: "Because of the Lord's great compassion we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails."
In the Lutheran pastor's Occasional Services prayer book, a prayer for the dying includes a line from Lamentations: "O merciful Father, you teach us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children. Look with compassion on ______________ your servant, for whom we pray ..." We can always hope in our God, full of compassion for you and me.
-- Garrison
