The “laments” are a type of poetic literature in the Bible used by the ancients to express their sorrow, grief, loss, pain, frustration (… even anger). I read one this morning – Psalm 56 – and thought of the many situations in life this might apply to… You might be going through one of them right now! The Psalmist cried out…“O God, have mercy on me! People are hounding me! My foes attack me all day long!” Anyone identify?
But listen to what the Psalmist says…
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You! I will praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? … This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised!” (Psalm 56.3-4, 9-10 NLT)
Did you pick up on it… three times in this passage!! “I will praise God for what He has promised!” When you feel hounded and attacked the Bible recommends encouraging yourself in the promises of God! There are a lot of things I might be tempted to do it those kinds of situations… things that probably wouldn’t contribute to any kind of a solution – in fact they probably would exacerbate them – just make them worse. I want to do something that helps! Think I’ll “praise the Lord for what He has promised”!
Coffee With The Lord 