Lamentations 2:18-19

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why there is so much suffering in life? When life feels unfair, and the world feels broken, you need to know there’s a God who understands and wants to restore all things. In this plan, you will learn how grieving, hoping, and gratitude can help you make sense of your suffering.

We all experience great loss- a relationship, a job, a loved one, or simply life as it once was. We’re sure that life is not supposed to be this way and so we grieve and mourn for what could have been. And we’re not alone. Join us for the fourth week of a 5-part plan that will help us learn the language and heart of lament in Scripture.

Most likely written by the prophet Jeremiah, Lamentations is a collection of poems mourning the siege of Jerusalem and the coming exile of Judah. Despite the wickedness of God’s people that led to their captivity, the writer reminds his readers the loyal love and mercy of the Lord are truly new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Even in deep darkness, God is our portion, our hope, and our salvation.

Tisha B’Av (the Fast of the Ninth of Av) is the darkest day on the Jewish calendar, a day of communal mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people which have occurred on this very day. In this reading plan, we'll look at the ancient roots of this somber day and how it has reverberated throughout the history of The Chosen People.