Christian Affliction

Psalm 25 reminds us that the Christian life is not immune to affliction, sorrow, or confusion. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, experienced deep loneliness, distress, and spiritual anguish. These realities are not signs of God’s absence or displeasure, but rather, they are woven into the fabric of our sanctification. The life of Jesus Christ Himself was marked by suffering—not only at the cross, but throughout His earthly journey. He endured sorrow, rejection, and pain, and in doing so, He became intimately acquainted with our struggles. This means that when we suffer, we do so in the footsteps of our Savior, who knows our pain and intercedes for us with perfect empathy.

Our modern world, with its relentless pursuit of comfort and avoidance of pain, often sees no value in suffering. The prevailing culture encourages us to escape affliction at all costs, sometimes even to the point of ending life prematurely. But for those who belong to Christ, suffering is not pointless. God, in His providence, uses our afflictions for a greater good—both for His glory and for our spiritual growth. The psalmist’s cry, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted,” is not a cry of despair, but a prayer of faith that recognizes God’s sovereignty even in the darkest valleys.

Affliction exposes our weakness and our need for God. It humbles us, strips away our illusions of control, and draws us into deeper dependence on the Lord and on the community of faith. Suffering is not always the result of specific sin, nor does it always have a clear explanation on this side of glory. Yet, God promises to use it as a means of sanctification—a “spiritual promotion” that draws us closer to Him and shapes us into the likeness of Christ. The comfort for believers is not only that suffering will one day end, but that even now, God is at work in our pain, blessing us with endurance, empathy, and a deeper longing for the world to come.

May we, therefore, see our afflictions as coming from the Lord’s loving hand, trusting that He is using them for our good. Let us bear one another’s burdens, point each other to Christ, and find hope in the promise that one day, all sorrow will be turned to joy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Suffering is an integral part of the Christian life, not a sign of God’s absence or our failure. Even those closest to God, like David, experienced deep affliction and loneliness. Recognizing this helps us avoid the fantasy that faith exempts us from pain and instead grounds us in the reality of a fallen world where God is still present and active. [03:41]
• 2. Jesus Christ’s own life was marked by suffering, making Him a perfect mediator who truly understands our pain. He did not use His divine power to escape affliction but embraced it fully, showing us that suffering can have redemptive purpose and that we are never alone in our trials. [06:18]
• 3. Our culture’s aversion to suffering often leads to a denial of its value, but Scripture teaches that affliction is not meaningless. God numbers our days and uses even the hardest circumstances to shape us, teach us, and draw us closer to Himself. The Christian view of suffering stands in stark contrast to the world’s, offering hope and purpose where others see only futility. [12:30]
• 4. Affliction exposes our weakness and need for God, humbling us and deepening our dependence on Him and on the body of Christ. It is often in seasons of suffering that we are most aware of our limitations and most open to the support and prayers of others, which God uses to strengthen and sanctify us. [26:50]
• 5. Suffering is a means of sanctification—a “spiritual promotion”—that God uses for our good and His glory. While we may not always understand the reasons for our pain, we can trust that God is at work in it, preparing us for the joy and perfection that await us in glory. This perspective transforms our afflictions from burdens to blessings, drawing us ever closer to Christ. [24:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Introduction to Psalm 25 and the Reality of Suffering
• [03:06] - The Christian Life and the Presence of Affliction
• [04:24] - Christ’s Suffering as Our Pattern
• [06:18] - Jesus’ Empathy in Our Suffering
• [08:09] - The Purpose of Suffering in the Christian Life
• [09:20] - Cultural Attitudes Toward Suffering
• [11:17] - Medical Advances and the Meaning of Affliction
• [13:09] - Euthanasia and the Value of Life
• [15:07] - The Christian Perspective on Suffering
• [16:27] - David’s Experience of Affliction
• [18:20] - The Hidden Sorrows of Believers
• [20:16] - Sin, Suffering, and the Human Condition
• [22:12] - God’s Purpose in Our Afflictions
• [24:52] - Suffering as Spiritual Promotion
• [26:50] - Affliction and Our Need for God
• [29:59] - The Story Behind “Now Thank We All Our God”
• [31:11] - Embracing Suffering as a Blessing
• [33:05] - Closing Prayer and Final Encouragement

Bible Reading

Psalm 25 (ESV) — Focus: verses 16-18

> 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
> for I am lonely and afflicted.
> 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
> bring me out of my distresses.
> 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
> and forgive all my sins.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 25:16-18, what specific emotions and experiences does David express to God?
2. According to the sermon, how does David’s experience of loneliness and affliction challenge the idea that strong faith means a life free from suffering? [[16:27]]
3. What does the sermon say about Jesus’ own experience with suffering during His earthly life? [[05:37]]
4. How does the psalmist connect his suffering with his relationship to God and his own sin? [[20:16]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it significant that David, described as “a man after God’s own heart,” still experienced deep loneliness and distress? What does this teach us about the Christian life? [[16:27]]
2. The sermon says that Jesus did not use His divine power to escape suffering but embraced it. What does this reveal about the nature of Christ and His empathy for us? [[08:09]]
3. The sermon contrasts the world’s view of suffering with the Christian perspective. What are the main differences, and why do they matter for how we face hardship? [[12:30]]
4. How does suffering expose our need for God and the support of the church community, according to the sermon? [[26:50]]

Application Questions

1. When you experience affliction or sorrow, do you tend to see it as a sign of God’s absence or displeasure? How might Psalm 25 and the sermon challenge that perspective? [[03:41]]
2. The sermon describes suffering as a “spiritual promotion” that God uses for our good and His glory. Can you think of a time when a difficult season in your life led to spiritual growth or deeper dependence on God? What changed in you? [[24:52]]
3. Our culture often encourages us to avoid pain at all costs. Are there ways you have tried to escape or numb suffering rather than bring it to God? What would it look like to face suffering with faith instead? [[12:30]]
4. The psalmist’s prayer, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted,” is described as a prayer of faith, not despair. How can you make your prayers more honest about your struggles while still trusting God’s sovereignty? [[16:27]]
5. The sermon encourages us to bear one another’s burdens and point each other to Christ. Is there someone in your life right now who is suffering? What is one practical way you can support or encourage them this week? [[32:27]]
6. The pastor mentioned that suffering often humbles us and strips away our illusions of control. Are there areas in your life where you are still trying to maintain control instead of depending on God? What would it look like to surrender those areas? [[26:50]]
7. The hope of the Christian is not just that suffering will end, but that God is at work in it now. How can you remind yourself of this truth in the midst of ongoing hardship? Is there a verse, song, or practice that helps you hold onto hope? [[23:28]]