July 7, 2017
THE LOVING GIFT OF AFFLICTION. WHAT?!!!
Psalm 119:65–72
Jay Burns
Central Truth
Most people seek wisdom and comfort, but hate pain and hardship. Unfortunately, comfort and ease often make us minimize God. The pain and affliction we desperately try to avoid are frequently the very means God uses to draw us to Him and the peace, joy, and wisdom He alone provides.
Key Verse | Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
(Psalm 119:71)
Psalm 119:65–72
Teth
65
You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69
The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 119:65–72
Who loves trouble? (Read John 16:33) I have come to realize that how I handle affliction is a telling measure of my faith; and it screams to the world the answer to the question, Who sits on the throne of my life? It can be only God or me.
A.W. Tozer says that the most important thing about any man is what he believes God to be at that moment, not what he says or does, but what he truly believes God to be. Past affliction has shaped what I believe God to be and has equipped me to handle future challenges more faithfully.
I have been blessed by more "mountaintops" than any man deserves. I am grateful. However, experience has taught me also to be grateful for the times in the "valleys" that have broken me. I am painfully reminded that I am not in control, which drives me to God and His statutes. I hate to see anyone suffer, but I agree with the psalmist here that anything that drives man to God and His Word and wisdom is a loving gift. Unfortunately, that often occurs only through pain.
The loss of my only brother 20 years ago and the struggle with addiction of one of my beloved family members have deepened my relationship with Jesus more than anything else in my life. As I write this, I weep and mourn for my struggling Prodigal. I am sad, but I am not crippled (2 Corinthians 4:8). I can have joy and hope in this affliction because prior pain has driven me to Jesus and His Word.
As a result, I believe Him to be, at this moment, good, loving, and faithful. This paradigm gives me assurance that no matter what future mountaintops or valleys await me, on my final day when all is stripped away and He is all I have, He will be enough.
When life’s challenges come, I pray that, instead of breaking us, they will cause us to continue to lean into Him and His truths. In so doing, we will find peace, but, more importantly, we will bring Him the glory only He deserves.
Discussion Questions
1. It has been said that some people see the glass as half-empty and others half-full. Similarly, some people are pessimists who feel God is not good and has it in for them because "bad" things always seem to happen to them. Other people seem to have an optimistic outlook even when "misfortune" strikes. Which one are you and why? Do those closest to you agree?
2. What comes into your mind when you think about God in the midst of these moments? Do you see Him as a loving Father refining you or as something else? Are you able to say, "You are good and do good." (Psalm 119:68a)? Process your answers with those closest to you who are believers you trust (your community).
3. We often pray for earthly comfort, safety, and provision. We would never pray for affliction, but how might today’s Scripture and devotional change your prayers?
4. Read Numbers 21:1-8. In this passage the Israelites rebelled once again against God. God responded by sending venomous snakes among them, which caused them to ask Moses to pray that God would take away the snakes. Reasonable! God’s response is very helpful in light of today’s Journey. In lovingkindness He didn’t take away their affliction, but instead gave them a bronze snake to look at and be saved. The bronze snake foreshadowed Christ (John 3:14-15), who we can look to now when the snakes of affliction are all around us. If you long for God’s wisdom and a deeper relationship with Him, do you see affliction as an opportunity to help you toward that end? How can you work through this affliction based on today’s passage, Numbers 21, and John 3:14-15?