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The Beatles are apparently big fans of the Picardy Third, as it shows up in several of their songs. Yesterday, we learned that the Picardy Third is when a minor key song resolves with a major chord. But in I'll be back, each minor key line resolves with a major chord. (I'm using chord and key interchangeably out of pure ignorance. If anyone wants to tell me how to correctly use these two terms, I will accept it with grace.) So if we were to put this exercise into words, I'd put it like this: "I'm sad, but now I'm happy. Now I'm sad again, now I'm happy again. Oh wait, sad. Ok, happy now." Does this resonate with anyone in the lament department? It does for me. I don't sing a sad song every day, but when I do, and it's resolved, I feel on top of the world. Then before you know it, I move on to another sad song. Anyone else?
Moses was the leader of Israel, the chronic complainers who found the resolution to their lament in the Promised Land. Moses cried out on behalf of the people so. many. times. Can you imagine the frustration of leading a group that seems to thrive on singing the saddest, pity-party songs? After leading them for over 40 years, Moses disobeys a command from God, and is not allowed to enter the Promised Land with them. I once tried to share the gospel with my uncle, and the main reason he gave for "never" accepting Christ was because-- after all Moses's obedience-- God didn't let him enter the Promised Land. So how did God resolve the lament of Moses, one he cried again and again, for himself and for God's chosen people? Moses died on Mount Nebo in what is modern-day Jordan, overlooking the Promised Land, and GOD HIMSELF buried him. Moses didn't get to go to the Promised Land, he got Heaven instead. And God, in His loyal, faithful, covenant love for Moses, DID bring him into the Promised Land...Moses was a special guest at the Transfiguration of Jesus, talking to Him, on another mountain IN THE PROMISED LAND. A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is My Beloved Son; listen to Him!"
Another lamenter was there on the Mount of Transfiguration--Elijah. He was in a 3 year fight with and flight from King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. God fed him with water from a creek, and bread and meat carried to him by ravens. After three years of drought and famine, Elijah goes back to confront King Ahab and Jezebel and 950 prophets of false gods. It seems like only the 450 prophets of Baal bothered to show up to the show down, but Elijah was bold and courageous to challenge their god's power against the LORD of armies!! God proved the Most Powerful, yet Elijah found himself lamenting again and again and again. He was alone, he was afraid, he was depressed, he wanted to die. How did God resolve the lament of Elijah? He took care of his basic needs at the time, then He gave him a friend, Elisha, to receive the baton of his ministry. At the end of his ministry, Elijah rolled up his mantle--possibly the same one he had wrapped around his face when he heard the still, small voice of God and submitted to His authority. He took the mantle, struck the water of the Jordan River, and Elijah and Elisha walked through on dry land. As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. To. This. Day, Elijah--the one who lamented and prayed to DIE-- is still alive. When God resolves your lament, it is RESOLVED!!!
And finally, Jeremiah. The weeping prophet. Author of Jeremiah, and probably also of Psalm 137 and Lamentations. He had the extremely painful task of letting his people know they were heading into exile, a punishment that they deserved. He spoke prophecies against Judah and against her enemies. People attempted to take Jeremiah's life multiple times. We have no record of how Jeremiah died, although church tradition suggests he was stoned in Egypt. His story ends in scripture in Jeremiah 51:64--"The words of Jeremiah end here." But we can know that Jeremiah's lament was always wrapped up in hope--"Remember my affliction, and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. I continually remember them, and have become depressed. Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say 'The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.'"
These three men. They sang a lot of sad songs. God turned their misery to music again and again. Each man has a miraculous story of survival and salvation. They knew that "fellowship with God was where they were going, and fellowship with God was how they got there." (Dr. JT English in "Deep Discipleship) They trusted God with their deepest fears. God is faithful to His people. 💗
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