Good Morning Friends,
There is a lot to be concerned about given the gap between what humans are supposed to be in relationship with God and the way we have turned out. Maybe that is why a lot of people have better relationships with their dogs and horses than with humans. But all is not lost. Even C.S. Lewis says that when people love their dogs and horses the gap between heaven and earth narrows. There is much to lament but it is mitigated by trust. A full third of the Psalms are laments but often end with a message about trust that today’s church would be wise to consider. Lament is part of the human condition. But lament is not weakness, it is worship that witnesses God’s presence with those who suffer. That is the role of the church and it includes trust. So, Are We Standing With God Lamenting When The Church Suffers?
Scripture Excerpts
Isaiah 43:1–2 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine… When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
Revelation 2:8–11 Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna: “I know your tribulation… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Psalm 13 (Lament) David cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Yet ends with trust: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love.”
Message: The suffering church is not a footnote in Scripture; it is a central theme. Isaiah speaks to people facing exile. Revelation speaks to a church facing persecution. Psalm 13 speaks to a man facing despair. Together, they form a biblical chorus: God’s people suffer, and God meets them in their suffering. Patrick Morley often reminds people that “the Christian life is not about avoiding trouble; it’s about finding Christ in the middle of it.” That is precisely the message of today’s passages. Isaiah 43 is about God’s presence in the fire. Isaiah does not say if you pass through waters or fire, he says when. Suffering is not an interruption to the Christian life; it is part of it. But God’s promise is not for our escape, it is a promise of presence. “I will be with you.” Sometimes we need this reminder: God does not abandon His people in the flood. He enters it with them. In Revelation 2 we have a similar message of Christ’ commendation of the suffering Church. The church in Smyrna receives no rebuke, only encouragement. Jesus says, “I know your tribulation.” He sees. He remembers. He honors their faithfulness. Their suffering is not meaningless; it is a witness. Their endurance is not unnoticed; it is crowned. And through it all we have the Holy work of Lament. Psalm 13 is a message for the church in Smyrna. Lament is the language of the suffering church. It is not complaining, it is covenantal honesty. David’s cry, “How long, O Lord?” is not faithlessness; it is faith expressing pain. Lament is how believers bring their wounds into the presence of God instead of hiding them or pretending they don’t exist. The suffering church laments because it believes God hears. It cries out because it trusts God’s character. It waits because it knows God will act.
And So, we can embrace lament as a Spiritual discipline. People often avoid lamenting because it feels like weakness. But lament is how God’s people stay spiritually honest. It is how we keep our hearts soft instead of cynical.It is how we can engage others. We can stand with the suffering church worldwide.Millions of believers today live in their own “Smyrna”—facing persecution, imprisonment, or social hostility. Our calling is to pray, support, advocate, and remember them. We can trust God’s presence more than our circumstances.Isaiah teaches us that God’s presence is not proven by the absence of trouble but by His faithfulness in it. We can remain faithful, even when faithfulness costs us.Jesus’ words to Smyrna are blunt: “Be faithful unto death.” Faithfulness is not convenient, it is courage.
Pray we consider where we need to practice honest lament instead of silent endurance. Pray that we stand with the suffering church in prayer and action. Pray we reflect on the fires we walk through and how God is meeting us in them. Pray God teach us to lament with honesty and hope. Pray God strengthen the suffering church around the world and use us to help. Pray God give us courage like Smyrna, trust like Isaiah, and honesty like David. Pray God walk with us through the waters and the fire and keep us faithful until the end. Amen.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 