Hard Sayings of the Old Testament

Does God Bring About Suffering?Lamentations 3:37-58

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Sandra Great Britain

David Mexico

Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia

Ruth India, Israel, Australia, New Zealand

Keith & Ruth Switzerland

Sarah Swaziland

Wayne Africa

http://globalmission.nazarene.org/

Love Alabaster: Bulgaria church overcomes challenges to reach community

In Montana, the birthplace of Communism in Bulgaria, in the home of the city’s first Communist mayor, meets a church of the Nazarene. The home, which was purchased with Alabaster funds in 1998, is now the gathering place for more than 100 people for worship.

Praying for the US & CanadaAlexanders: CA, OK, GA, QCVanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)Jellisons: UT, TX, AKShultzs: CA, DC, MA, BCMoores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QCAbby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QCAliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEIL. Kilgore: VA, MIT. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DCNielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RIGriffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo NationAdams: NM, CA, MAB. Brown: GA, OR, ONB. Vito: NY,IDFormer atheist starts Michigan churchIf you talked with Robert Bastien, he would tell you he asked this very question about his wife, JoAnn. When she began praying, reading Scripture, and attending church on a regular basis, he wasn't sure about the changes. You see, JoAnn grew up in the Catholic Church, but eventually stopped attending services. Not only that, she stopped believing God existed and began to live as an atheist.

Lamentation 3 (NIV)37 Who can speak and have it happen    if the Lord has not decreed it?38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High    that both calamities and good things come?39 Why should the living complain    when punished for their sins?

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CALAMITIESWhen did the author of Lamentations live?

What historic event did he live through?

How did his experience affect his view of God?

How do these scriptures help us understand the struggles of people who have experienced “calamities” in life? 6

Lamentation 3 (NIV)Let us examine our ways and test them,    and let us return to the LORD.41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands    to God in heaven, and say:42 “We have sinned and rebelled    and you have not forgiven.43 “You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us;    you have slain without pity.44 You have covered yourself with a cloud    so that no prayer can get through.

45 You have made us scum and refuse among the nations.46 “All our enemies have opened their mouths    wide against us.47 We have suffered terror and pitfalls,    ruin and destruction.”48 Streams of tears flow from my eyes    because my people are destroyed.49 My eyes will flow unceasingly,    without relief,50 until the LORD looks down    from heaven and sees.51 What I see brings grief to my soul    because of all the women of my city.

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The Call to RepentWhat are three things the author of Lamentations calls for in verse 40?

Why are these important?Why does the author describe God as covering himself with a cloud?

Does the author think that God is having trouble seeing what is going on?

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Lamentation 3 (NIV)Those who were my enemies without cause

    hunted me like a bird.53 They tried to end my life in a pit    and threw stones at me;54 the waters closed over my head,    and I thought I was about to perish.

55 I called on your name, LORD,    from the depths of the pit.56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears    to my cry for relief.”57 You came near when I called you,    and you said, “Do not fear.”

58 You, Lord, took up my case;    you redeemed my life.

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Responding to SufferingWhat is the difference between God’s response to this passage as compared to the previous passage?

How did God answer the author’s prayer in this case?

How do these passages help us deal with the suffering in today’s world?

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Next WeekUnit 1: Hard Sayings from the

Old Testament

Lesson 4: Is It Right to Test God?

Deuteronomy 6:16 & Judges 6:33-40

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