Lamenting to God 向神哀哭
Dexu Xia
See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed. Lamentations 1:20
Today's Scripture Lamentations 1:20 --22
Today's Insights When we think of lament in the Bible, Jeremiah—known as the weeping prophet—comes to mind (see Jeremiah 9:1). However, he’s not the sole exemplar of lament in the Scriptures. Other examples are Job, David, and Jesus.
In Lamentations 1:20-22, the prophet Jeremiah expresses the rawness and weightiness of lament even in the choice of his words. It’s the consequence of something so powerful or heartbreaking—where something of value has been lost—that it prompts uncommon expression. Jeremiah exclaims, “See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed” (v. 20). The situation was such that it generated “groaning” (v. 21). Lament is the appropriate language of those who have personally come to grips with their pain and the conditions that caused it. As we grapple with pain, God invites us to express our honest, prayerful, and worshipful lament to Him.
Today's Devotional I viewed the opening displays of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City with curiosity but kept my emotions in check. That changed when we entered the inner exhibit, which the curators have wisely closed off from children and those wanting to shield themselves from the more heartrending images. As I encountered story after story of heartbreak and loss, waves of lament rose within me.
When we witness or remember such destruction and pain, we can join the cries of those who have voiced their distress to God. This includes the words of anguish found in Lamentations, which many scholars believe the prophet Jeremiah wrote after the destruction of Jerusalem. In the tightly formed structure of this poem, he releases his sorrow and grief over the pain of God’s people: “See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed” (Lamentations 1:20). And yet he looks to God as the ultimate judge, knowing that only He can deal with the sins and destruction: “Let all their wickedness come before you” (v. 22).
This kind of honest crying out to God can help us to grapple with painful atrocities such as what happened on September 11, 2001, or other current-day evil deeds. We look to God for help, hope, comfort, and justice.
Reflect & Pray
When you witness wickedness, how do you keep your heart tender before God? How might He lead you to pray for those who are hurting today?
God of truth and love, I know that Your heart breaks over the pain in the world. Please envelop me in Your grace and mercy and heal my wounds.
“耶和华阿，求你观看，因为我在急难中。我心肠扰乱。”（耶利米哀歌 1:20 ）
今日经文 耶利米哀歌 1章20-22 节
今日洞见 说到圣经中的哀歌，我们首先想到的是耶利米，这位以哀哭闻名的先知（参见耶利米书 9:1）。然而，耶利米并非圣经中唯一以哀哭留名的人物，约伯、大卫和耶稣也都曾经哀哭。在耶利米哀歌 1章20-22节中，先知耶利米甚至在措辞上也表达了哀歌的真挚和沉重。这是由于某种强烈或令人心碎的事，比如丢失至宝所导致的，这种痛苦促使我们用非同寻常的方式来表达情感。耶利米感叹道：“耶和华啊，求你观看，因为我在急难中。我心肠被扰乱”（20节）。当时的处境令人“唉哼”（21节）。哀歌是那些亲身经历过痛苦，及造成痛苦成因的人，最恰当的表达方式。当我们与痛苦搏斗时，上帝邀请我们用哀歌向他表达我们真诚、敬虔的崇拜。
今日灵修 我怀着好奇心参观了纽约市9/11纪念馆和博物馆的开幕展览，期间我一直设法控制自己的情绪。但是，当我们进入内部展览时，我的情绪有点控制不住了。馆长明智地禁止儿童，以及那些想避开更令人心碎的画面的人进入此展览区。当我面对一个又一个令人心碎的故事和这场悲剧造成的伤害时，我内心禁不住地涌起阵阵哀叹。
当我们目睹或回忆起9/11那场毁灭和痛苦时，我们可以加入那些向上帝表达痛苦的人的呼声。这包括耶利米哀歌中那些痛苦的话语。许多学者认为耶利米哀歌是先知耶利米在耶路撒冷被毁后所写的。在这首结构紧凑的诗歌中，耶利米释放了他对上帝子民苦难的悲伤和悲痛：“耶和华啊，求你看我何等痛苦！我内心痛苦，我心烦乱。”（耶利米哀歌 1:20）然而，他把上帝视为最终的审判者，深知只有祂才能处理罪恶和毁灭：“愿他们的一切恶行都呈在你面前。”（耶利米哀歌 1:22）
这种真诚地向上帝呼求，可以帮助我们应对痛苦的暴行，例如2001年9月11日发生的事件，以及其他当今社会中的邪恶行径。我们仰望上帝，寻求帮助、希望、安慰和正义。
反思与祷告 当你目睹邪恶时，你如何在上帝面前保持内心的温柔？祂会如何引导你为今天正在受苦的人祷告？
真理与慈爱的上帝啊，我知道祢因世间的痛苦而心碎。请祢以祢的恩典和怜悯缠裹我，医治我的伤口。