Grace Notes – Gracious Affliction

    It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
     That I may learn Your statutes.”

               Psalm 119:71 AMP 

Grace Perspective: 

     Is affliction good? It is when it turns us away from sin and towards God. David, who wrote Psalm 119, knew about affliction. He learned first hand what happens when the boundaries God set are crossed. 

      David is known as a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:15 & Acts 13:22) that understood affliction is meant to turn our hearts toward God. David experienced several humbling seasons in his life. Many Psalms are expressions of David’s heartache through periods of affliction where he honestly conveys the pain that accompanies suffering as he turns his thoughts to God. (Psalms 51, 56, 57, 59, 60,62 are just a few.)

     David helps us see that pain isn’t without purpose but a part of God’s plan to turn our hearts and minds to Him for direction, to learn the boundaries He set in place for our good. God’s gracious affliction is meant to draw us close to Him through knowing His Word.

 A Touch of Grace: 

   How have you been afflicted?

   What did you learn through the affliction?

 Grace Application: 

    What do you think of when you hear the word affliction? Good is not usually the first word that comes to mind. Yet, Scripture has a different perspective on the why behind being humbled. 

      Afflictions come in many forms, from being humiliated to suffering great pain (see Job). God’s purpose in the pain of affliction is to bring us to a deeper understanding of who He is and the truth of Scripture. In this section of the Psalm, David says that the affliction was good because it helped him learn God’s statutes or boundaries. The margins God set are to keep us from the deceptive lure of sin, which seems sweet for a moment until the bitter consequences become a reality. 

      I want to be clear, though, not all afflictions are due to personal sin. Sometimes we are humbled by circumstances out of our control, like sickness, accidents, or the consequences of someone else’s sin. No matter the cause, it is all meant to turn us towards the Lord. Scripture tells us over and over again that when we seek God, He will be found. (Deuteronomy 4:29-30; 1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 69:31;Jeremiah 29:13; Lamentations 3:21-25)

     God permits gracious affliction to show us His goodness, mercy, and steadfast love. When afflictions come your way, turn to the One who was afflicted on the cross. Jesus was afflicted to redeem us. He wants us to come to Him when we are afflicted. Then we can say like David, “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” (Psalm 119:75 NASB)

 Prayer

  Gracious Father, You are faithful even in affliction. Thank You for the Word that shows me that there is purpose in being humbled. Forgive me when I grumble and complain in my affliction and fail to recognize the value of the boundaries You’ve set. When I sin, remind me that the gracious affliction is good and turn me back to You. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Amen. 

**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubt is erased. Today is a good day to be assured of Salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**