22 ‘Let all their evil deeds come before you; torment them in their turn, as you have tormented me on account of all my sins; for I groan continually and I am sick at heart.’
The Revised English Bible (Cambridge; New York; Melbourne; Madrid; Cape Town; Singapore; São Paulo; Delhi; Dubai; Tokyo: Cambridge University Press, 1996), La 1:22.
I’m going to keep this one short, but first, a note on Bible study. Just because someone is reported as saying or doing something in the Bible doesn’t make that statement or action right. After all, we have the words of the serpent in the garden recorded, and they contained falsehood and led to some pretty nasty consequences.
So just because these lines of prayer are here in Lamentations doesn’t mean the desire for revenge is a positive thing. In fact, a desire for revenge can be self-destructive.
We’ll have plenty of opportunities to discuss revenge as we go verse by verse. But here I just want to comment on honesty.
What can you present to God in prayer? Is anything off limits?
I would suggest from this passage and many more in the Psalms and elsewhere that you can speak to God in prayer about anything you are feeling and thinking. Forgiveness is good, but so is honesty. You don’t need to worry about what God is going to do with your statement. You’re not going to lead God into wrong actions.
What’s more, there’s no benefit in not telling God what you really feel. Do you think God doesn’t know already?
Honesty is good. Speaking your mind is good. It’s really a prerequisite to change and growth.
Here’s the question: Are you going to let God grow you?