Today I will finish a five-week series at my church [Fc3] preaching through the book of Lamentations for the season of Lent. It has stretched and challenged both myself and our congregation, but it has been a very worshipful season.

My main take-away: Christians should not ignore the book of Lamentations.

“Lamentations can be read from inside-out as worshippers are asked to identify with Zion in her grief. It can also read from outside-in as worshippers are asked to identify with the narrator observing Zion, or those on the road passing by, or even as the oppressing nations who cause the pain. As such it has the potential to teach us to express our praise before God, to call us to comfort others (Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor 1), or as a sharp expose of our communal sin by causing affliction to others, bringing conviction of sin and offering a call to confession and repentance. Using this book well in worship is not about becoming self-obsessed, miserable people but about becoming people who can respond to the pain of others in more appropriate ways (an outward-looking and mission practice if ever there was one) and who can respond to our own pain (either individual or communal) more honestly and faithfully.” [Robin Parry: Wrestling with Lamentations in Christian Worship]

If you are interested, you can listen to the sermons here:
Lamentations 1 – A Topography of Pain
Lamentations 2 – Moved to Tears
Lamentations 3 – Can’t Shake It
Lamentations 4 – Broken But Beating
Lamentations 5 – Your Move, God