Easter Week 2 - A Conversation About Lament

Let's celebrate Easter together! In addition to this week's episode on lament, enjoy the devotional and reflection questions.

Easter Devotional On Lament

By Mary Arnold

Lament. The word might evoke a cringe or a catch in your spirit. It’s not a concept we run toward or eagerly embrace. Human logic accuses lament of being a hopeless time where God is not present. However, repeatedly, scripture tells us quite the opposite. Yes, scripture does show times of lament to be weighty expressions of grief and sorrow—mourning—the heavy kind where sack cloth and ashes are donned. But, if you study Lamentations, Job, and many of the Psalms, you will see that God is ever present in the author’s lament. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself laments over Lazarus’ death and later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His own. In James 4:8-10 we are called to lament. The verses say, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded. Be wretched, mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Christ invites us to be part of the process of our spiritual restoration by allowing us to express our grievances and pain before our loving heavenly Father who promises to draw near to us and lift us out of despair and give us comfort.

Lament resonates with me especially in this Easter season. Growing up my mom had us stop whatever we were doing around the 3 o’clock hour on Good Friday and reflect on Christ’s crucifixion (Mark 15:33-38 tells us it was at this hour that Christ willingly gave up His spirit and died). Over time I began to deeply value this tradition and I intentionally continue it today. Each year I pause to contemplate and grieve the truth of Christ being nailed to a cross and suffering a horrific death so that my sin could be rectified with God. My mind grapples with the darkness and scheming of humanity; the pure evil unrestrained, for a time; the death of my innocent, holy Lord in my place—because of my sin. I lament. It is heavy—and it should be. Christ’s sacrifice is overwhelmingly gracious. I need this reminder of the cost of my sin because it shifts my perspective. I am humbled and filled with awe and praise for our merciful Lord, and I am encouraged to carry on because I have hope through Christ’s redemption.

Most commonly, lament is prompted by a loss or a difficult or unjust circumstance. But as James alludes, lament is also a pivotal habit in the Christian walk. It’s a healthy type of pause or check-up in our spiritual life. As He says in chapter 4, lament is a drawing near to God involving an acknowledgement of areas where we need sanctification and renewal. Our Lord communes with us as we bear these burdens before Him. Because we are His, we can ask boldly for healing, strength, and endurance. We must then choose to obey Him, trusting that He is sovereign and righteous and that He will lift us up just as He says. 

Like Easter, lament is a season of turning from despair and death and walking into abundant life in Christ. May we willingly embrace lament!

Reflection Questions

Read through James 4:8-10 and pray for humility and faith to lament openly to the Lord. Are there areas in your life that can be renewed and made right with the Lord through lament?

Consider ways in which God’s character is highlighted in the faithful and honest lament of people in the Bible (for examples, look into Psalm 13:1-6 or Psalm 10). What can be gained when we bring a heavy lament to the Lord in prayer?

As you look toward Easter and remember the sacrifice Jesus willingly made for our sin, what prompts you to worship Him more dearly?

To find out more about our community or how to get involved in the Fort Worth area (Tarrant, Parker, & Johnson County locations), visit us online at www.ccbcfamily.org/women or find us on Instagram @christchapelwomen.