The Benefits of Affliction Ps. 119 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The Benefits of Affliction are seen in Ps 119. Often in affliction we only see the suffering and trouble. Look for the benefits.
Affliction can lead you to salvation through God’s words – Psalm 119:107 – I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Until some people are afflicted, they don’t see their need of salvation. In affliction, many have been saved through God’s words.
Affliction can lead you to the truth of God’s words – Psalm 119:71 – It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. In affliction you often find truths in God’s words that you would have never seen in wealth and good health.
Affliction can lead you back to the Lord and His words – Psalm 119:67 – Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Many Christians have backslidden and strayed from the Lord. But when they were afflicted as a result of backsliding, they turned to the Lord and he brought them back through his words.
Affliction can help you see God’s judgments are right – Psalm 119:75 – I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Affliction often comes at the hands of those who attack us. Our prayer and concern is that God would avenge us. But vengeance is God’s; not ours. So, quit thinking about the people who afflicted you and concentrate rather on God’s judgments in YOUR life. You may find that the Lord was behind the affliction and that he was right in his judgment against you.
Affliction can lead you to find comfort in God’s word – Psalm 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. Sometimes affliction is so difficult and painful that medicine and friends are limited in what they can do to alleviate the pain. Turn to God’s words and find supernatural comfort in them.
Affliction can lead you to find hope in God’s words – Psalm 119:92 – Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. Sometimes affliction totally overwhelms and discourages you. Delight in God’s words and you won’t despair of life.
Affliction can lead you to deliverance through God’s words – Psalm 119:153 – Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Don’t forget God’s words in times of affliction. If you don’t, you will find that God’s words can deliver you from your affliction. Many drug addicts and alcoholics have found deliverance in God’s words.
Conclusion: affliction can be bad, even terrible – but if, in your affliction, you turn to God’s words, you will find them to save you, comfort you, instruct you, correct you and deliver you like nothing else in the world – in these you will see the benefits of affliction.