In the pastoral world, it’s often said there are three things that bring people to church: death, divorce and disaster. Death and divorce touch individuals and families in personal ways. But disaster is something that can strike anyone, anywhere and all of us together.
Some people criticize the idea that it takes something terrible to wake us up to God’s reality. But isn’t that just being human? It’s certainly nothing new.
Psalm 74 is introduced as “a maskil of Asaph.” Scholars debate exactly what a maskil is, and even who Asaph was. But his name can mean “gatherer,” “collector,” or even “congregation.”
So what has the gatherer called the congregation to do? To lament.
The people had seen what felt like God’s silence and inaction, leading, most likely, to the destruction of the temple. Now, people debate which particular national crisis this psalm points to. What is clear is that it was a tragedy that touched everyone. The psalmist cries out on behalf of the gathered people. He even suggests that God’s anger was against them. “Why does your anger smoke against” us, he asks. And yet, his hope is this. That, if God remembers, God will return. And when God comes, God comes in power just as before.
This ancient lament can help us today process what we experience. We, too, face disasters. Those are natural, national, or deeply personal. They are moments and events that shake our faith and cause us to question God’s power and love. The question remains, though, How will we respond? Will we let those moments drive us away from God? Or will we allow them to draw us closer, to trust more deeply and to hope more boldly?
Disaster comes in many forms. But so does God’s grace.
What disaster are you holding on to? Don't let it have the final word. Take a moment to name your lament and then bring it to the One who gathers us all in hope and peace.
Stay blessed...john | 
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