Book Review: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy

 

 

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop

 This book will enrich your life and equip you to pray about personal and national issues with a fresh approach. Part 1 breaks down the basic structure of psalms that express grief or sorrow (at least a third of the psalms); Part 2 examines the book of Lamentations; and Part 3 suggests how you can use such biblical expressions to pray for yourself and your community.

 Author Mark Vroegop is no stranger to lament. As he and his wife suffered through the loss of a stillborn daughter and several miscarriages, he sought and found strength in God’s Word. In Psalms, Vroegop discovered a four-part pattern of laments that lead from anguish and hopelessness to renewed hope. 

 In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah grieves the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the invading Babylonians. As we grieve over today’s world conflicts, we can relate to such feelings of despair. But both the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations offer a roadway to grace and remind us God is on His throne.

 The book contains helpful appendixes including one that categorizes the psalms and another that offers a “Learning-to-Lament” worksheet. There’s also a bibliography, a general index and a scripture index.

 Don’t be put off by the heavy tone of the title. This book offers Christians a valuable and workable guide to express feelings of depression and despair.