Reflection: How the Mighty Have Fallen
Why have Christians stopped lamenting? Well, we do — but not in song. Few of our modern songs are laments. About half of the psalms are, at least in part, laments. Surely, we, like the saints of old, have doubts, face suffering and persecution, and become discouraged. They regularly brought before the Lord their sorrows in the words of a song.
2 Samuel begins on a tragic note. On the one hand, the death of Saul meant David’s greatest enemy had died and the path was open for him to take the kingship God had promised him. Yet, Saul had been the Lord’s anointed (and David’s father-in-law) and in death deserved honour, not gloating. But particularly painful for David was the death of his dearest friend, Jonathan, whose love for David was ‘wonderful’. While God isn’t mentioned in this song, David is implicitly praising him for the achievements of these two men.
Why do we seem reluctant to lament? Do we see it as a lack of faith? Have we been taught Christians shouldn’t be sad or ask God, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ Laments recognise God’s sovereignty over all our life and can sometimes help us process our pain and rejoice even in suffering (James 1:3).
Prayer:
Lord, your Son knew suffering, hardship, disappointment, and persecution. We thank you that he intercedes for us in our times of weakness. Thank you for songs, both of joy and sorrow, pain, and praise. Amen.