Embracing Affliction: A Path to Spiritual Growth
Summary
Psalm 119:71 serves as a profound reminder of the paradoxical nature of affliction. The psalmist declares, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." This statement challenges our natural aversion to suffering and invites us to explore the deeper purposes that affliction can serve in our spiritual journey. Affliction, though often unwelcome, can be a divine tool for growth and learning. It connects us to God in ways that comfort and ease cannot. Through affliction, we are drawn closer to God, learning His statutes and understanding His will more profoundly.
The psalmist's journey through affliction reveals three key insights. First, affliction connects us to God. It is in our moments of deepest pain and struggle that we often find ourselves reaching out to God, seeking His presence and guidance. The psalmist learned God's statutes through his affliction, gaining insights that would have remained hidden in times of comfort. This connection is not merely about proximity but about a deeper understanding and relationship with God.
Second, affliction commits us to God. While many may be connected to God, true commitment often requires the refining fire of affliction. The psalmist moved from a state of straying to one of commitment, realizing that his affliction had turned him back to God's word and ways. This commitment is a testament to the transformative power of suffering, which can lead us to a more profound dedication to our faith.
Finally, affliction reveals the compassion of God. The psalmist acknowledges that God's judgments are right and that in His faithfulness, He has allowed affliction. This understanding of God's faithfulness, even in the midst of suffering, is a powerful testament to His unwavering love and commitment to us. God's compassion is evident in His presence with us during our trials, ensuring that we are never alone.
Key Takeaways:
1. Affliction as a Divine Connection: Affliction can serve as a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. It is often in our moments of suffering that we seek God more earnestly, learning His statutes and understanding His will in ways that comfort cannot provide. This connection is not just about proximity but about a profound relationship with God. [05:15]
2. Commitment Through Suffering: True commitment to God often requires the refining fire of affliction. The psalmist's journey from straying to commitment highlights the transformative power of suffering, which can lead us to a more profound dedication to our faith. This commitment is a testament to the enduring impact of affliction on our spiritual journey. [21:28]
3. God's Faithfulness in Affliction: Even in the midst of suffering, God's faithfulness remains steadfast. The psalmist acknowledges that God's judgments are right and that in His faithfulness, He has allowed affliction. This understanding of God's unwavering love and commitment to us is a powerful testament to His compassion. [27:12]
4. Learning in the Valleys: There are lessons that can only be learned in the valleys of life, not on the mountaintops. Affliction teaches us resilience, contentment, and reliance on God's provision. It is in these challenging times that we learn to trust in God's plan and find peace in His presence. [15:27]
5. Affliction as a Testimony: Our experiences of affliction can become powerful testimonies of God's grace and faithfulness. As we reflect on our journey through suffering, we can see how God has used these experiences to mature us and draw us closer to Him. Our testimonies can inspire others to trust in God's goodness, even in the midst of trials. [35:02]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - The Irony of Affliction
[02:16] - Unpleasant Reality of Affliction
[03:14] - Real-Life Examples of Affliction
[04:03] - Injustice and Oppression
[05:15] - Affliction Connects Us to God
[07:37] - The Beauty of Psalm 119
[15:27] - Learning Through Affliction
[19:31] - Connection vs. Commitment
[21:28] - Commitment Through Affliction
[23:38] - A "But Now" Testimony
[27:12] - God's Faithfulness in Affliction
[35:02] - Affliction as a Testimony
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 119:71
Observation Questions:
1. What does the psalmist mean when he says, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted"? How does this statement challenge our natural aversion to suffering? [05:15]
2. According to the sermon, what are some real-life examples of affliction mentioned, and how do they illustrate the concept of affliction as a paradox? [03:14]
3. How does the psalmist describe the process of learning God's statutes through affliction? What does this suggest about the relationship between suffering and spiritual growth? [07:37]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that affliction can lead to a deeper commitment to God? [19:31]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the psalmist's view of affliction as a tool for learning God's statutes challenge common perceptions of suffering? What might this suggest about the purpose of affliction in a believer's life? [05:15]
2. The sermon mentions that affliction can reveal God's compassion. How does this understanding of God's faithfulness during trials impact one's view of suffering? [27:12]
3. What does the transition from being connected to God to being committed to God through affliction look like, according to the sermon? How might this process be evident in a believer's life? [21:28]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that affliction can serve as a testimony of God's grace and faithfulness? What role do personal testimonies play in encouraging others in their faith journey? [35:02]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced affliction. How did it impact your relationship with God, and what did you learn about His statutes during that period? [05:15]
2. The sermon suggests that affliction can lead to a deeper commitment to God. Are there areas in your life where you feel more connected than committed? How can you move towards greater commitment? [21:28]
3. How can you recognize God's compassion and faithfulness in the midst of your current challenges? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His presence during difficult times? [27:12]
4. Consider the idea that affliction can serve as a testimony. How can you share your experiences of God's faithfulness during trials with others to encourage them in their faith? [35:02]
5. The sermon mentions learning in the valleys of life. What specific lessons have you learned during challenging times that you couldn't have learned otherwise? How can these lessons shape your future decisions and actions? [15:27]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees affliction as an opportunity for growth and learning rather than just a source of pain? What changes in perspective or behavior might this require? [05:15]
7. Reflect on the concept of God's judgments being right, even in affliction. How can this understanding influence your response to current or future challenges? [27:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Affliction as a Bridge to Deeper Relationship with God
Affliction often serves as a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. In times of suffering, individuals are drawn to seek God more earnestly, learning His statutes and understanding His will in ways that comfort cannot provide. This connection is not just about proximity but about a profound relationship with God. Through affliction, one can experience a closeness to God that is transformative, allowing for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of His nature. The psalmist's experience highlights how affliction can be a divine tool for growth, drawing believers closer to God and His teachings. [05:15]
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did it affect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take today to seek Him more earnestly in your current circumstances?
Day 2: Commitment Through the Refining Fire of Affliction
True commitment to God often requires the refining fire of affliction. While many may be connected to God, true commitment is forged in the crucible of suffering. The psalmist's journey from straying to commitment underscores the transformative power of affliction, which can lead to a more profound dedication to one's faith. This commitment is a testament to the enduring impact of affliction on the spiritual journey, as it refines and strengthens one's resolve to follow God's word and ways. Through suffering, believers can experience a deeper commitment to their faith, emerging stronger and more dedicated. [21:28]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel your commitment to God is being tested. How can you embrace this challenge as an opportunity to deepen your faith and commitment?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness Amidst Suffering
Even in the midst of suffering, God's faithfulness remains steadfast. The psalmist acknowledges that God's judgments are right and that in His faithfulness, He has allowed affliction. This understanding of God's unwavering love and commitment is a powerful testament to His compassion. God's presence during trials ensures that believers are never alone, and His faithfulness provides comfort and assurance. Through affliction, one can witness God's compassion and faithfulness, gaining a deeper appreciation for His love and care. [27:12]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's faithfulness during a difficult period. How can you remind yourself of His steadfast love in your current challenges?
Day 4: Learning in the Valleys of Life
There are lessons that can only be learned in the valleys of life, not on the mountaintops. Affliction teaches resilience, contentment, and reliance on God's provision. It is in these challenging times that believers learn to trust in God's plan and find peace in His presence. The psalmist's experience illustrates how affliction can be a powerful teacher, imparting wisdom and understanding that are not accessible in times of ease. Through suffering, one can develop a deeper reliance on God and a greater appreciation for His guidance and provision. [15:27]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Consider a current struggle you are facing. What specific lesson do you think God might be teaching you through this experience, and how can you embrace it?
Day 5: Affliction as a Testimony of God's Grace
Our experiences of affliction can become powerful testimonies of God's grace and faithfulness. As believers reflect on their journey through suffering, they can see how God has used these experiences to mature them and draw them closer to Him. These testimonies can inspire others to trust in God's goodness, even in the midst of trials. The psalmist's journey through affliction serves as a testament to God's grace, illustrating how suffering can be transformed into a powerful witness of His love and faithfulness. [35:02]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a past affliction that has become a testimony of God's grace in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who might be struggling today?
Quotes
Affliction by its very definition will frustrate you. us, agitate us, irritate us to the point that we wonder, God, what's really going on? Trayvon Martin's family's dealing with affliction, sitting in a courtroom every day, looking at the one that they know murdered their son. That's affliction. [00:03:17]
My affliction connected me to the Lord if you read Psalm 119 and verse 71 you'll see that not only does the psalmist say it is good for me that I was afflicted, but read on to the latter part of the verse for he says for the statutes that I might learn thy statutes. [00:07:16]
The psalmist seems to suggest to us that he learned something in the process of being afflicted that he could not have learned had he never been afflicted please please understand this is the reflection this is the rumination of someone who's already come through something and as a consequence he's better able to share the reflections of what he's already experienced. [00:09:32]
Your affliction is not given to you to make you bitter it is to make you better and I wonder how many of us can look back over our lives and see those moments where we are afflicted by some burden some calamity some catastrophe but as we reflect on it now we realize that if we had not gone through that we would not be who we are right now. [00:11:37]
There are moments in our lives where affliction is necessary to teach us some things and just before you think that this affliction about which the psalmist is speaking is as a result of the imposition by Satan think again this affliction has not been imposed on the psalmist by the devil it has been imposed this hymn has been done by the divine. [00:14:12]
Some stuff God puts in your life to teach you some things that the devil would never be able to teach you I wish I had a witness somewhere around Wheeler Avenue is there anybody who can testify that God had to put me in some places and some positions into some predicaments that he had to teach me some things. [00:15:52]
But it's training you it's teaching you it's toughening you up but you'll have a testimony on the other side it's drawing you closer to God it's connecting you with God because some of us wouldn't pray if we didn't have affliction some of us would never come to church if we didn't have affliction. [00:17:42]
Connected folk committed folk and and the psalmist says he has moved from just being connected to being committed i i read it in psalm 119 verse 67 back up to verse 67 if you still have your bible open you'll find out in verse 67 what the psalmist has to say about it says before i was afflicted i went astray but now i have kept your word. [00:21:28]
But now that I've been walking with the Lord, now that the Lord has matured me, now that the Lord has been showing me some things, you can't make me turn around on God now. I'm so committed to God now that even if I don't get my favorite seat, even if I don't hear my favorite choir, even if I don't hear my favorite preacher, I'm still committed to God. [00:24:01]
Verse seventy -five, he says, I know, oh Lord, that thy judgments are right. and that thou in faithfulness has afflicted me watch it watch it watch the words of the text he says i know oh lord that your judgments are right and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me do you see the progression of the psalmist in verse 67 he was straying in verse 71 he was learning learning but now in verse 75 he's knowing some things. [00:25:11]
If he wasn't faithful you wouldn't be in this place in your right mind right now if he wasn't faithful you wouldn't be able to breathe his air right now if he wasn't faithful you wouldn't be able to understand that he has your faith in him your best interest at heart I'm so grateful that he's faithful even when we're not faithful to him he's still faithful to us. [00:27:58]
I gotta quit i gotta quit but whenever you get depressed whenever you get despondent about your affliction i need you to know that you're not the first person to be afflicted the man named jesus was likewise afflicted listen to what the bible says in isaiah chapter 53 verse 3 says he is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows yet we did esteem him stricken smitten of god and afflicted. [00:31:28]
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