LAMENTING

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey Your precepts.

Make Your face shine on Your servant and teach me Your decrees.

Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for Your law is not obeyed.

You are righteous, Lord, and Your laws are right. The statutes You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore Your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.

Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but Your commands give me delight.

Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

Psalm 119:134-144

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

There was an advertisement prevalent in the 1970’s that featured a Native American who was saddened by the way people had polluted the land. It was a powerful commercial sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, a non-profit organization still active today and advocating for clean, beautiful public places as well as waste reduction and increased recycling.

What has always stuck in my mind about the commercial, even after all these years, was the emotion displayed by the Native American who had remembered days when the land was free of so much waste and industrial by-products strewn into the air and water. As he stands and takes in the way things have changed, a passing car tosses a bag of trash out the window and the contents litter the feet of the Native American where he stands, an experience which prompts him to shed a tear in lament (you can watch the commercial here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM).

As I read the psalm today, I was reminded of the Native American’s lament over the way the nation had changed environmentally because the psalmist has his own lament over his community. The only difference is that the psalmist’s lament is based on the spiritual degradation of the people living around him. Look at his words:

My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore Your words. Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for Your law is not obeyed.

I find myself being able to relate with the psalmist today as I observe my world more than 2,000 years later. For when I look at where we are spiritually, I still see a world bankrupt in its belief and faith in the Lord. Some people have no interest in God’s word or being obedient to what He commands. It truly is enough to make a grown man cry, especially when we consider the truth that Jesus could return at any time to claim those who have placed their faith, trust, and hope in Him. All who have not will see their lives end in the flames of destruction with more than a few wishing they had accepted the salvation offer of Jesus.

I often think of that day when Christ will return and find myself dealing with competing emotions.

On one hand, I will be filled with joy knowing that Christ’s promised eternal life had arrived for me and all others who believed in Him. But at the same time, I can’t help but think I will also lament that day, saddened by the fact that many people will be cast into the fire after not being found listed in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:11-15). I will be dismayed that they passed up on an opportunity to live forever with the Father who created them and His Son Jesus who died to save them. Maybe you’ll feel the same.

Friends, I’m not sure where you are in your faith journey today but if you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to do so and don’t delay. For I would much rather be rejoicing for you and with you on judgment day than lamenting because it will be your final day on earth.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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