Lamentations & HallelujahsSample

Why Lord?

I drove in a heavy downpour to the store, blinking hard to see the road ahead. This time, it was not because of the rain but the tears that streamed down my face. My heart squeezed painfully as I uttered through sobs, “Why Lord? Why?”

I had prayed, pleaded, and begged God to intervene in our financial situation. And on the day I expected Him to show up, the day I believed He would show up, He was nowhere to be found. We had a family picnic day with my daughter’s school, and we had no money. So we showed up with bright smiles, deflated hope, and a picnic basket that contained only water.

“Where are the snacks, Mommy?” My little one asked innocently. She watched as families pulled out their goodies, soda, chips, cookies, fruit, and so on. I choked back a sob and told her I would be right back. I got in the car and cried. I thought for sure that God would have provided goodies for us, too. Yet, there I was with an empty picnic basket. My lamentations poured out unceasingly that day.

“Why Lord?” “How long Lord?” is usually found in the lamentations we see in the Bible, a direct address to God.

Jesus, Himself, while in the Garden of Gethsemane began with “My Father”.

“Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.”

“How long, Lord, how long?”

“Why Lord, do you stand far off?”

“To you, Lord, I call.”

When we pour out our lamentations to God, we are directing it to our God. We can be honest in our prayers as we call out to Him because we know Him, we trust Him.

Prayer: Oh Lord, I put my trust in you. Continue your steadfast love to those who know You. I know that You never forsake those who love and seek You and that every detail of my life is being woven together for good. Amen