The Gift of Affliction ~ Bob Caldwell

The Gift of Affliction Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. There are some things that only pain has the power to instruct us about. Some truths about ourselves, our lives, and God seem to come no other way. In this psalm, we do not know the specifics of the affliction the psalmist refers to. We only know he was being attacked with lies and falsehood (v. 69, 75). However, for the author of this psalm, he saw these afflictions ultimately coming from God (v. 67). God was exposing his own wayward heart. He was not living in harmony with God or His Word. Just about every person we admire in the scriptures developed the qualities of spiritual greatness in the furnace of affliction. Affliction has an amazing ability to burn away our impurities while at the same time bringing forth gold and silver. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before God called him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. David lived for years as a fugitive, accused of evils he neither committed nor considered. Joseph lived as a slave, was falsely accused of rape, and was unjustly imprisoned before he rose to become a great ruler in Egypt. Even our Lord Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8). It is during times of suffering, especially what appears to be unjust suffering that God's Word becomes forged gold within us. Our character is shaped to stand for God's Kingdom as we live in the midst of a fallen world that lies under the sway of the kingdom of darkness. And in the aftermath of God's ordained use of affliction, we will say with the psalmist, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn Your statutes" (v. 71). It is in these afflictions that we discover the overcoming power of God's will and the ways of His Kingdom (v. 92). When we approach our troubles with faith and prayer, we do not perish. Instead, we experience divine intervention that brings help that no force in this world can withstand. When we forgive our enemies, we discover a victory over them that the world knows nothing of. When we apply the appropriate truth from God's Word to our troubles, we will discover amazing results time after time. Those who know how to apply God's promises and wisdom to life's troubles win in the end. Thus we read, "I am afflicted very much, revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word" (v. 107). We who know what God's Word has promised, affliction can become the seedbed for revival! Surely it is good that we have been afflicted that in our need we are forced to discover the limitless resources of our God.
Psalm 119:65-128 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 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 proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. YOD 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. 75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. 77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed. KAPH 81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. 82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, "When will You comfort me?" 83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. 86 All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. LAMED 89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. 96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad. MEM 97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. NUN 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. 108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your judgments. 109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end. SAMEK 113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually. 118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood. 119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. AYIN 121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me. 123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word. 124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. 125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. 126 It is time for You to act, O LORD, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:65-128 v. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray – Suffering impels us to consider how we are living our lives and do course-correction. v. 68 You are good, and do good – a primary confession of biblical faith v. 69 forged – to smear or plaster over something (Heb.) v. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease – unfeeling and uncaring v. 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me – The biblical understanding is that each human being is, in a special sense, an individual creation of God. v. 75 in faithfulness You have afflicted me – Troubles are not intended by God to destroy us but lead us to light and truth. v. 76 Let, I pray – God's mercy should console us in the troubles of life. v. 77 delight – enjoyment (v. 24) v. 78 the proud – arrogant enemies they treated me wrongfully with falsehood – Literally, "They twisted me." They presented the psalmist in a completely distorted way. v. 81 My soul – nephesh (Heb.) my deepest being v. 83 I have become like a wineskin in smoke – A striking image; the poet visualizes his life like a wineskin hanging in the smoke that has dried up and become hard. v. 84 How many are the days of Your servant? – Or, with my life so short, why do You not act against those who falsely attack me? v. 85 The proud have dug pits for me – a typical way to trap animals v. 89 Your word is settled in heaven – it stands firm v. 90 Your faithfulness – emunah (Heb.) consistent fidelity and steadfastness You established the earth, and it abides – The Bible uses the apparent stability and abiding existence of the earth and the heavens as a metaphor for God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people (Jer. 31:35-36). v. 91 They – all created things; the "heaven" of v. 89 and "earth" of v. 90 For all are Your servants – Genesis 1 makes clear that all things in heaven…sun, moon, and stars…are not some kind of "gods" but created things serving God's purposes and plan. v. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life – All life is a gift of God's "Word," His living will (1 Peter 1:22). v. 96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection – Better translated, "I see a limit to all perfection" v. 97 my meditation – an object of musing and study v. 98 for they are ever with me – or, Your Word is mine forever v. 99 more understanding – a wonderful promise for the young and inexperienced v. 103 How sweet – compare with Ps. 19:10, the psalm of praise for God's Word v. 104 I hate every false way – every deceptive twisting of the truth v. 107 I am afflicted very much – The suffering of the poet is a recurring theme in this psalm. v. 108 freewill offerings – In the view of the psalmist, prayer serves as a substitute for "offerings" before God. v. 109 My life is continually in my hand – constantly at risk v. 111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever – as my personal inheritance v. 112 I have inclined – directed or led v. 113 I hate the double-minded – compare with James 1:8 v. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield – God is the psalmist's shelter and protection. v. 119 dross – The impurities in metal ore that are burned away by the heat of the smelting process. v. 122 surety – offer Yourself as a pledge or "co-signer" to insure good for Your servant v. 123 My eyes fail – spent or are wasted away v. 125 give me understanding – insight v. 126 It is time for You to act, O LORD – the cry of God's suffering people through the ages (Rev. 6:9-10) v. 127 I love Your commandments – compare with Psalm 19:7 v. 128 right – straight. We use the same expression in English: "Tell it to me straight!
"Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." –Psalm 119:67 God, let us count it as a privilege to be taken through the crucible of affliction. We know that Your Word says that You will discipline those whom You love. When we are taken through the fire, we pray for eyes that recognize Your divine and fatherly hand. Let us praise You in the furnace, Lord, for we know that You love us and seek to keep us from evil.
Children's Worship I have been amazed at how much the Saturday night preschool children LOVE the live worship lead by Bryan. The songs they learn and love will go with them throughout their lives. God bless all of you worship leaders! Prayer Points for the worship leaders, that the Lord would provide for them and protect them from spiritual attack for the sweet hearts of the children, that they would let Jesus in early and never let Him go for those that the Lord is calling to serve in this important ministry, that they heed God's call for their lives