It is difficult for us to read the Book of Lamentations the way it was originally written. This series of poems is written so that each stanza begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is as if we wrote a poem or song with the first stanza beginning with "A" and the next "B" and following. This adds a certain amount of symbolism to the work.
In the course of the book, the author acknowledges the fact that the people had sinned. He recognized the responsibility for their exile, the grief that they suffered; but he also includes the deep-seated knowledge of the goodness of God, and the trust that God will bring them back once again.
Too often I have seen people who have been through tragedies through no fault of their own, who don't have that faith in God's goodness. They lament their situation, but they don't think that things will get better or that they will find happiness or peace again. With that attitude, it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy and they can't find peace.
Others have been beset by terrible tragedies and yet retain their faith. Nothing shakes their belief that God is good and that no matter what happens, he will be with them to the end.
I think of the women who have lost sons to drunk driving or to senseless violence and instead of moaning and groaning about their situation, they gather together to change the system. To raise people's awareness of the destruction caused by the careless, selfish actions of others.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD, has made the position of designated driver almost universal. The mothers of shooting victims work tirelessly to change the gun laws so that there are fewer people on the streets with weapons.
We can learn from the author of Lamentations and grieve our losses, but still retain the trust that God is with them and will save them once again.
