What words can you give to such grief?

16 years ago I went through great grief

Praying through times of sorrow Psalm 88

Who is Heman? Heman, a sage (1 Kings 4:13). Heman, leads worship and writes Psalms (1 Chron 6:33, 15:17,19). Heman, a prophet (1 Chron 25:1-7). A mature Christian who served

Heman is dying. 3For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. Habukkuk’s praise

Heman has lost the will to live. 4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength. Habukkuk’s praise

Heman feels God doesn’t care. 5I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care, 14Why O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? Habukkuk’s praise

Heman believes God is punishing him with affliction. 6You have put me in the deepest pit, in the darkest depths. 7Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with your waves. 16Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 17All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me, Habukkuk’s praise

Heman feels completely alone. 8You have taken from me my closest friends and made me repulsive to them. 9I am confined and cannot escape; My eyes are dim with grief. 18aYou have taken my companions and loved ones from me; Habukkuk’s praise

Heman suffered since young. 15aFrom my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; Habukkuk’s praise

Heman is both terrified and in grief. 15bI have suffered your terrors and am in despair. Habukkuk’s praise

the darkness is my closest friend 18You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend Habukkuk’s praise

Habukkuk’s praise

1. Let your sorrow be real. After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. Job 3:1.

You are God my stronghold Why have you rejected me? Psalm 43:2. Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more. Psalm 39: 31 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. Psalm 69.3

Jesus wept. ..can we?

Let your sorrows be real, by praying out your pain.

Xun Zi 298-238 BCE

2. Let your sorrow be sacred. A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Hemman the Ezrahite. Habukkuk’s praise

Lamentation is worship

Complaining to God Complaining about God

Let your sorrow be sacred…by persistent prayer. But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayers come before you Why ,O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? v13-14 Habukkuk’s praise

3.Let your sorrow be God centered. Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah. Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? v10-12 Habukkuk’s praise

Praise Lament

Praise Lament

8Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job 8Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” 9“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:10-11

Let your sorrow be real. Let your sorrow be sacred. Let your sorrow be God centered. Let your sorrow be redemptive.

4. Let your sorrow be redemptive. 18You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend Habukkuk’s praise

the darkness is my closest friend 18You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend Habukkuk’s praise

Come to Him who overcame darkness Habukkuk’s praise

Heman’s Salvation O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. v1-2

“Please…Mr Lion…..Aslan, Sir? Said Digory. “Could you….may I…..please, will you give me some magic fruit of this country to make my mother well?”

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hid their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:3-4 (ESV)