“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Psalm 119:71
During a Bible study session in my church many years ago, our then-branch pastor was having a teaching series on the books of Kings and Judges. I noticed something in the life of the Israelites: during the time of peace, they flourished and forgot the God who brought them out of captivity, returning to profaning His name and ordinances.
Then, when they began to suffer from the consequences of their evil ways, they would remember their God and turn to Him. It made me wonder: why do we remember God during pain, affliction, and sorrows but forget Him or become lukewarm during times of answered prayers? Our opening Scripture gave me the answer.
How do you cherish peace when you have not experienced the peril of war? How do you value good health when you do not know the pain of bad health? How will you value God and take Him seriously when the accuser of the believer has not dealt with you? Afflictions, though unpleasant, are divine instruments of growth. They draw us closer to God, purify our hearts, and teach us obedience and dependence on Him. Through them, our faith is tested, our endurance strengthened, and our compassion for others deepened.
Charge: Affliction makes us vessels of comfort to the hurting, and when God finally steps in with deliverance, His power and glory are revealed through our testimony.
Further Study: Job 23:10; Psalm 34:19, 66:10-12, 119:67; Isaiah 48:10; Romans 5:3-5, 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7.
