God Speaks

The voices of pain, fear and anger speak loudly. As we journey through lament, we need to listen to and be reoriented by God’s voice. Thankfully, God not only sees and cares for us, but He speaks His words to our broken hearts. Since creation, God has been speaking life and hope and purpose. The written Word reveals Himself—through it we learn His character, His ways and His heart. But it’s not just information—God’s words are relational and purposeful.

The practice of pouring out our hearts in humble complaint may feel like the easier and more familiar step, but an essential aspect of the lament process is tuning our hearts to hear and receive what God is saying to us. So what are some of the words that God speaks to those who are grieving?

• God is near, and nothing can separate us from His love. Whatever our pain, He invites us to walk through it with Him.
• Just as God daily fed the Israelites with manna during their wilderness journey, He gives us grace and strength for today, and will give it again tomorrow.
• No other refuge is sufficient. In Him, we will find rest and joy and hope.
• He loves what is good and hates what is evil.
• God is still at work. His power is perfect, and His purposes will be accomplished.
• There is more beyond our suffering. We are invited into God’s eternal Kingdom reality, where our present pain is light and momentary compared with our future hope, which is secure and glorious.
• The world is broken, and we are in need of grace—but He is a God of redemption, and He is making all things new.