FROM THE PASTOR

May 2012

What do you do when things don’t go your way?

          I’ve been re-reading some books by a man (Merlin Carouthers) who says we ought to praise God for everything.  Frankly, I think he goes too far.  To praise God for everything seems to attribute evil to God.  On the other hand, there is a biblical command to give thanks in all circumstances.  That’s a different idea.  To praise God in (not for) everything is to declare that, somehow, God is working for good in the midst of it all.  This can be a great and powerful step of faith.

       

   In the biblical accounts about Moses and God’s people (especially Exodus and Numbers), we find that the people had a bad habit of grumbling.  In the face of this, God often blessed them anyway.  But the grumbling did get in the way of their ability to receive.  We are warned in the Psalms (95:8) not to harden our hearts as they did.

          In light of the command to give thanks, along with the warning against grumbling, it is interesting that about one-third of the Psalms are called “Laments”.  This is a term for biblical poetry that expresses sadness, grief, bewilderment, or even anger.  Many are out-and-out complaints.  These poems are given to us as models for prayer.  This makes many people uneasy.  Furthermore, it raises a question – are we supposed to “always give thanks” or not?

          Let me offer a few thoughts.  First, the authors who encouraged us to give thanks also knew the Psalms.  Twice, Psalms are mentioned in the same sentence with the call to give thanks (Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:15-16).  Second, the Lament Psalms themselves always included praise or thanksgiving.  (There is one exception, Psalm 83.  But even this ends with the words, “You alone are Most High above all the earth.”  Besides, perhaps the act of engaging God relationally is the psalmist’s praise.)

          Here are two differences between Lament-prayer and grumbling.  First, good Lament-prayer treasures the relationship with God.  It was against this that the grumbling Israelites hardened their hearts.  Second, as noted, good Lament-prayer also involves praise and thanks to God.  This allows us to rise above bitterness or despair.

When you find yourself in a Lament-able situation, try this.  Start out saying, “God, it’s like this…”  Then pour out your thoughts and feelings.  Don’t sugarcoat, don’t clean it up.  God can handle whatever you say, and it will be

all right as long as you are moving towards God, not away.  (You might, on the other hand, need to edit yourself if others are listening.)  When you are done with this, say something like, “Even so, I believe You are both great and good; You are powerful and faithful.  I thank You that even now, You are working good for those who love You (Romans 8:28).  And I do love you, God.”

          In this way, let us learn to rejoice and give thanks.  Jesus also showed us this. He cried out in Lament, even on the Cross.  And what else shows more deeply what I have been saying?  In that most horrible event, God worked good for all the world.  And at Christ’s resurrection, Lament turned to praise.

Pastor Doug Norquist