Joyful Lamentations

As some of you may know, Lamentations is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible. This book represents the Prophet Jeremiah’s thoughts in regards to the fall of Jerusalem; he speaks of the destruction that God allowed to befall Israel.

The definition of the word “lament” is to express sorrow, mourning or regret while “lamentations” is an expression of grief.  So, the question is … why would I choose this particular word to represent my writing?  You see, as we go through life we all face tests, trials and tribulations …e.g., the Three-T’s… and from those three-t’s our “Testimony” is born; however, instead of looking back and grieving the mistakes we made along life’s journey, we must truly count it all joy!

I was inspired to write the majority of my poems during my three-t’s moments … as such, I truly believe that my poetry will be an inspirational blessing for all who seek peace, comfort, encouragement, strength, hope and joy!

²¹This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. – ²²It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. – ²³They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. – ²⁴The Lord is my portion saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.

 

²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; – ³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

In this epistle on Christian living, James opens with a most crucial topic: the trials of life. These verses describe the various testings {whether from the world and satan, or from God} into which godly Christians fall. These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing. The words in verses 2 and 3 {temptations and trying} are often regarded as virtually synonymous. If this were true, then trials themselves would produce spiritual maturity. But they do not. Often, testings make Christians bitter instead of better, with no spiritual growth occurring. The Greek word for trying {dokimion} might be better translated as “approving.” It is not merely one’s presence in such trials but one’s victory over them that brings spiritual growth and maturity. Those Christians whom God can use the most are those whom God has bruised the most.