Choose to Trust
God Gives Us Direction Toward This Needed Response
I love the sounds of a worshiping church. Whether in music, in people’s affirmation during the preaching of the Word, in praying with one another, or even in hearing the sounds of the supper as people confess their faith, it nourishes my soul to be a part of the saints gathering.
I had the delightful opportunity to lead our congregation to worship through song last summer. Some of my favorite moments in ministry have been within the context of leading people to sing, pray, read, hear, and participate in the proclamation of the Word. Even during those two Sundays in July, I cherished the chance to join with the church as we declared the praises of the glorious God of heaven and earth. So thank you PPC, for encouraging me with your own voices as we sing together weekly.
But how is this tied into an article about what it means to choose to trust?
As I have grown in my own understanding about what the Christian life entails and even the goals of the church gathered, I developed a framework for singing that is not solely about grand melodies eliciting joyful emotions, though such tunes most definitely have a place.
Our praise is often as genuine in the lamenting, melancholy notes of a tune seeking to confess and lament. This was one reason I sought to introduce the church to a particular song the Lord used in my life during difficulty, struggle, and hurt.
When I lead a congregation to worship, I never want to confuse this pattern. In the seasons of life where ease, comfort, and excitement surround us, it is easy to consider those times to be where praise is most fitting. But I call this mindset into question.
The biblical authors express a need for praise that is not dictated by circumstance.
I believe it to be wholly true. When I read the many lament psalms, seeing how they are written and structured, I am left with questions. Why does God allow complaint to be in the Bible? Is it not a sin to complain and question? What am I supposed to do with such language? And these questions leave me with what I would call God’s gift of lament.
In his book, Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, Mark Vroegop helped me see the beauty in passages where all seems bleak, hopeless, and melancholy. It made me realize that far too often I overlook the good of such psalms. For instance, take Psalm 13.
In this psalm, the repeated phrase “how long” continues to be used. It suggests anticipation, struggle, sorrow, and complaint. Reading of the dire circumstances that the psalmist hopes to come to an end, it is hard to see how a turn to the Lord’s kindness and mercy will be possible. But even as Vroegop highlights, this psalm is written by someone who has formed a habit of choosing to trust despite the suffering and the outlook. Clearly, lament is not meant to be used in one instance so that we should never have to experience struggle again. Instead, lament is what the Lord provides to cause endurance, patience, and hope. Vroegop writes, “While there may be painful circumstances beyond our control, our waiting can be spiritually productive as we intentionally follow the pathway to trust. That is why trust is active patience. We keep trusting by lamenting.”[i]
I am not sure I have ever been as struck by the Lord’s grace in my life as when God allows me to move through such a habit geared towards causing my eyes to look to Him for help. When I tie it into our Hebrews series, as sermon after sermon calls us to consider Jesus and hold fast (3:1-6); to know Him as worthy and approach His throne for mercy and grace (4:14-16); to not throw away our confidence but to endure in faith (10:35-36).
One way we do that is choosing to trust as we sing, whether through the chorus of a song introduced this past summer or an old familiar hymn. Lament leads to renewed trust and rejoicing as we rehearse the current difficulties in the face of the faithful God who fulfills His promises. So church, do not ever grow weary of singing. It is one of the main components when we are gathered to encourage one another to choose to trust no matter the season. Whether it is one marked by loss, division, uncertainty, tragedy, victory, success, comfort, confusion, or chaos.
I had the delightful opportunity to lead our congregation to worship through song last summer. Some of my favorite moments in ministry have been within the context of leading people to sing, pray, read, hear, and participate in the proclamation of the Word. Even during those two Sundays in July, I cherished the chance to join with the church as we declared the praises of the glorious God of heaven and earth. So thank you PPC, for encouraging me with your own voices as we sing together weekly.
But how is this tied into an article about what it means to choose to trust?
As I have grown in my own understanding about what the Christian life entails and even the goals of the church gathered, I developed a framework for singing that is not solely about grand melodies eliciting joyful emotions, though such tunes most definitely have a place.
Our praise is often as genuine in the lamenting, melancholy notes of a tune seeking to confess and lament. This was one reason I sought to introduce the church to a particular song the Lord used in my life during difficulty, struggle, and hurt.
When I lead a congregation to worship, I never want to confuse this pattern. In the seasons of life where ease, comfort, and excitement surround us, it is easy to consider those times to be where praise is most fitting. But I call this mindset into question.
The biblical authors express a need for praise that is not dictated by circumstance.
I believe it to be wholly true. When I read the many lament psalms, seeing how they are written and structured, I am left with questions. Why does God allow complaint to be in the Bible? Is it not a sin to complain and question? What am I supposed to do with such language? And these questions leave me with what I would call God’s gift of lament.
In his book, Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, Mark Vroegop helped me see the beauty in passages where all seems bleak, hopeless, and melancholy. It made me realize that far too often I overlook the good of such psalms. For instance, take Psalm 13.
In this psalm, the repeated phrase “how long” continues to be used. It suggests anticipation, struggle, sorrow, and complaint. Reading of the dire circumstances that the psalmist hopes to come to an end, it is hard to see how a turn to the Lord’s kindness and mercy will be possible. But even as Vroegop highlights, this psalm is written by someone who has formed a habit of choosing to trust despite the suffering and the outlook. Clearly, lament is not meant to be used in one instance so that we should never have to experience struggle again. Instead, lament is what the Lord provides to cause endurance, patience, and hope. Vroegop writes, “While there may be painful circumstances beyond our control, our waiting can be spiritually productive as we intentionally follow the pathway to trust. That is why trust is active patience. We keep trusting by lamenting.”[i]
I am not sure I have ever been as struck by the Lord’s grace in my life as when God allows me to move through such a habit geared towards causing my eyes to look to Him for help. When I tie it into our Hebrews series, as sermon after sermon calls us to consider Jesus and hold fast (3:1-6); to know Him as worthy and approach His throne for mercy and grace (4:14-16); to not throw away our confidence but to endure in faith (10:35-36).
One way we do that is choosing to trust as we sing, whether through the chorus of a song introduced this past summer or an old familiar hymn. Lament leads to renewed trust and rejoicing as we rehearse the current difficulties in the face of the faithful God who fulfills His promises. So church, do not ever grow weary of singing. It is one of the main components when we are gathered to encourage one another to choose to trust no matter the season. Whether it is one marked by loss, division, uncertainty, tragedy, victory, success, comfort, confusion, or chaos.
Lord from Sorrows Deep I Call
And, oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my Rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation
And, oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my Rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation
Persevere,
Nick Boucher
Pastor of Student Ministries
Nick Boucher
Pastor of Student Ministries
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