Weeping With Those Who Weep
Jeremiad and "liquid prayers" are the way forward after a difficult week.
Dear KCBC family,
This week, I learned a new word: Jeremiad—“a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.” The term is rooted in the book of Jeremiah, but it can also refer to periods of mourning outside of the Bible, and unfortunately, the past few weeks have given us new things to mourn.
Twenty-one people (including 19 children) were shot to death by an 18-year-old in Uvalde, TX.
Ten people (most of them black) were shot to death by an 18-year-old, self-proclaimed white supremacist in Buffalo, New York.
One person was shot to death and multiple people injured in a “politically motivated” shooting at a Presbyterian church in Southern California.
The list could go on with more shootings and tragedies. We could add things like inflation, abortion, primary elections, the war in Ukraine, and all our personal woes, too.
So, what do we do? How should we respond?
Sometimes when words can’t express the sorrow we’re feeling, maybe it’s best not to say anything at all. Unfortunately, too many this week have chosen to respond with condescending, partisan, political words, but I think we would be wise to remember the advice of Romans 12:15, which tells us to “weep with those who weep.” Weeping may sound like the kind of advice to give people who can’t think of anything better to do, but if all we can do is mourn, we’re in good company.
In Psalm 6:8, David cried out, “Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping” (NRSV). David prayed in faith, trusting that after God heard the voice of his weeping, he would act decisively against those who wanted to cause people harm, and we know that God did act. So, from the Bible’s point of view, weeping can effectively reduce evil.
Weeping may sound unintelligible and unproductive, but it has a voice that speaks to God. Weeping has a language all its own that God understands and listens to. Charles Spurgeon once wrote,
It is sweet to know that our tears are understood, even when words fail. Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers, and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will surely wear its way right into the very heart of God's mercy, despite the stony difficulties which obstruct the way. My God, I will "weep" when I cannot plead, for You hear the voice of my weeping!
“Liquid prayers,” therefore, are an appropriate and necessary Christian response to tragedies. Of course, there’s a natural response within us to find the cause and fix the problem—which needs to be done humbly and wisely. But weeping with those who weep isn’t a second-best response; it’s an effective Christian response.
For the gospel,
Pastor Tim
Announcements/Prayer
Life's Options - Baby Bottles are available on the back table. Please return them on Father's Day.
LEAD International - Pastor Lovejoy reports that their truck broke down and will need several hundred dollars in repairs. If you’d like to help, contact Bob Ruesch.
Kittredge Cleanup & Potluck - Saturday, June 11th, volunteers are needed!
Help us clean up our community at 2 pm and then join our community bbq potluck at 5 pm. Please bring something to share! We'll provide the burgers & hot dogs with guest speakers from wildfire prevention. Meet at the Kittredge Community Building, 26499 Mowbray Ct.
Voice of the Martyrs - Thanks for the Family Med Packs! Please pray…
•that there will be no obstacles in getting the packs delivered to the Christian families that need them most.
•that the families will be able to share some items and bless others in Jesus' name.
•that the packs will remind the families that they are not forgotten by their Christian brothers and sisters.
Village Missions Spotlight
James & Katie Attebury, Amargosa Valley, NV
Amargosa Valley is a remote desert town between Death Valley National Park and the Yucca Mountain Range. The name Amargosa comes from the Spanish word amargo, which means “bitter,” to describe the water of the Amargosa River. Many tourists pass through on their way to Death Valley or Las Vegas. Our town is also home to the largest dairy farm in Nevada. Amargosa Christian Fellowship exists to reach our community for Christ and disciple those who follow him.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Our church has started an AWANA ministry and a youth group to reach young people for Christ.
Pray that we would reach many families with the gospel message through these ministries.
Pray for the Lord’s provision for our church as many people are going through difficult trials.
Pray for wisdom for us in raising our 2-year-old son, Julian. James is a volunteer firefighter; please pray for his protection as he serves people in need.