Pastors Matt & Chris led us into a service of lament, to help us grieve all the ruthless violence that's been suddenly thrust into our worlds in recent days.
MY STORY
What's a significant loss in your life that you're still grieving?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him, " lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
(Psalm 13)
Pastor Matt said, "The lament is an invitation to pour out our fears, our frustrations, our regrets, our angers and our sorrows for the purpose of helping us to renew our confidence in God."
What raw, deeply-emotional questions is David asking of God in this psalm?
What is David trusting in, even in the midst of his mourning?
What does God want us to hear? What are some of the more factual "takeaways" from this passage for you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt asked, "What do we do when evil seems to have the upper hand?"
What is your usual emotional reaction to news of violence being committed against innocent people, especially children?
How do significant losses, ones that God could have prevented, but didn't ... impact your faith?
What has God actually promised in regard to responding to the evil in the world?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "The steadfast love of God is the pledge of all God's promises. It's why even in the midst of David's lament he can sing the praise. It is why we can bow our knees and worship God. It is why we can walk through the valley and have joy."
Why is it comforting to know that God will have the final word when it comes to matters of injustice, especially those dark actions committed by remorseless people?
What does it mean for you to wait on the Lord until he accomplishes his purposes in this regard?
What are some of the significant losses have been created by evil people in the past few weeks? How has the news of those events impacted you? Why do these events often provoke the need in our hearts to mourn?
Bring your significant losses, and your heartache over these emotional injuries, to God in prayer this week.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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