Psalm 34.19 19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord
delivers him out of them all. (ESV)
Yesterday, someone dear to me went through a difficult
time which was exacerbated by words spoken in frustration that should’ve maybe
been left unsaid. Y’ever do that? I sure have.
Sometimes our afflictions are self-generated. Sometimes
they are because someone else has
decided to rough us up a bit. Sometimes they’re the result of sickness (another
friend of mine is recovering from triple-bypass surgery.) And sometimes (hear
me carefully) they come at the hand of
God. The difference between God-affliction and all else is God uses
affliction to teach us and reach us; it is okay to use proper corporal
discipline to lovingly keep a child from doing harm to himself. Really.
The difference with God-afflictions is they are always,
always, always redemptive: Many are the
afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
(ESV) If God afflicts me then I know the outcome will be deliverance. Always.
This is pure grace. Always good.
Well, how then do I know that it is God who is afflicting
me? Probably a little self-examination is necessary: am I doing something I
need to stop doing? Am I harboring thoughts I need to get rid of? Am I
listening to the voices of enablement?
Where am I in my opinion of myself: victim or victor? Am I thinking more highly
of myself than I ought (Romans 12.3)? Self-inspection is vital in discerning
the seasons of our lives. Will others around me honestly lend credence to my
conclusions?
Affliction isn't a bad thing necessarily. It helps
immensely if it arrests our attention and helps us to focus on God rather than
the affliction. God isn't a Meanie, but He is all-wise and knows exactly what
it takes in our lives to help us get some of His wisdom, comfort, and love.
Not so the wicked: Affliction
will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
(Psalm 34.21) The one who rejects God’s hand is in for a rough ride. But here
is the answer to such mentality: The Lord
redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be
condemned. (V. 22) It is far better to go through the worst with God, than
without Him.
My conclusion: I
will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my
mouth. My soul makes its boast in the
Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us
exalt his name together! Psalm 34.1-3 Am I teachable? Am I reachable? Will I
turn to others and exhort them to join me in the Lord’s presence celebrating
His goodness?
Father, may I trust You at all times and may the words of
my mouth – even in affliction – be those of praise and invitation that others
may taste and see that You are good – all the time!
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