Finding Joy and Purpose in Affliction

Devotional

Day 1: Afflictions as a Path to Refinement

The righteous will face many afflictions, but these trials serve to purify and refine them, drawing them closer to God. Affliction is not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on Him. In the midst of suffering, the righteous are called to trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that deliverance will come. This process of refinement is not immediate but is a journey that strengthens faith and character. The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord delivers them from all, not necessarily in the way or time we expect, but in His perfect wisdom and love. [02:59]

Psalm 66:10-12 (ESV): "For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance."

Reflection: What current affliction are you facing that you can view as an opportunity for spiritual refinement and growth? How can you trust in God's timing for deliverance?

Day 2: Active Faith in Waiting

While waiting for God's deliverance, the righteous are called to continue doing good. Affliction is not an excuse for sin but a call to live out our faith actively, reflecting God's love and grace to the world. In times of waiting, it is easy to become spiritually apathetic or to respond sinfully, but the call is to shine brightly and glorify God through our actions. This period of waiting is an opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of faith, showing the world the hope and love that comes from a relationship with God. [12:20]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively do good and reflect God's love while you are waiting for His deliverance in a specific area of your life?

Day 3: Assurance of Complete Redemption

God's deliverance is complete and final, symbolized by the preservation of the bones, which points to the hope of resurrection. This promise assures us that no matter the depth of our trials, God's redemption is certain. The preservation of the bones is a powerful symbol of God's commitment to His people, ensuring that their ultimate destiny is secure in Him. This assurance allows believers to face trials with hope, knowing that God's plan includes a future of restoration and resurrection. [19:58]

Isaiah 26:19 (ESV): "Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead."

Reflection: How does the promise of complete redemption and resurrection influence your perspective on current challenges and trials?

Day 4: Collective Worship as a Telescope

Our worship magnifies God not by making Him appear larger but by revealing His true greatness. Together, we remind each other of God's vastness and glory, encouraging one another in faith. Collective worship serves as a telescope, bringing into focus the enormity of God's power and love. When believers gather to worship, they create a space where God's presence is magnified, and His attributes are celebrated. This shared experience strengthens the community of faith and deepens individual relationships with God. [30:27]

Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the collective worship of your community to help reveal God's greatness and encourage others in their faith journey?

Day 5: Joy in the Midst of Trials

True magnification of God occurs when we rejoice in Him, even amidst afflictions. Our joy and celebration in God's goodness make Him look as glorious as He truly is, especially when we experience His presence in difficult times. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God and His promises. By choosing to rejoice in God during trials, believers testify to His sufficiency and faithfulness, drawing others to the hope found in Him. [33:40]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can choose to rejoice in God today, despite any trials or challenges you are facing?

Sermon Summary

In these challenging times, we find ourselves in a world where Christians are increasingly marginalized, much like the early church faced in the days of the Apostle Peter. As we reflect on Psalm 34, we are reminded of the timeless truths that King David shared, which Peter later echoed to embattled believers. Psalm 34 is not just a call to celebrate deliverance from affliction but also a preparation for the afflictions we face or will face. David's declaration, "I will bless the Lord at all times," is a profound reminder that our praise should not be limited to moments of triumph but should persist through trials and tribulations.

The afflictions of the righteous are many, as David states, but the Lord delivers them from all. This is not a promise of immediate rescue but a call to trust in God's perfect timing. Affliction serves different purposes for the righteous and the wicked. For the wicked, it leads to condemnation, but for the righteous, it purifies and refines. The righteous are characterized by humility, a fear of the Lord that draws them closer to Him, and a commitment to doing good even in the face of adversity.

As we navigate our own afflictions, we are called to do good while we wait for God's deliverance. This is not a time for spiritual apathy or sinful responses but an opportunity to shine brightly and glorify God through our actions. The promise of God's rescue is resounding, not just a mere escape but a complete and final redemption. This is symbolized in the preservation of the bones, a promise of resurrection and restoration.

Finally, we are called to celebrate God together, magnifying His greatness not by making Him appear larger than He is but by revealing His true enormity and glory. Our collective worship serves as a telescope, bringing into focus the vastness of God's power and love. In our joy and celebration, we make God look as good as He truly is, especially when we taste and see His goodness amidst our afflictions.

Key Takeaways

1. Afflictions of the Righteous: The righteous will face many afflictions, but these trials serve to purify and refine them, drawing them closer to God. Affliction is not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on Him. [02:59]
2. Doing Good in Waiting: While waiting for God's deliverance, the righteous are called to continue doing good. Affliction is not an excuse for sin but a call to live out our faith actively, reflecting God's love and grace to the world. [12:20]
3. Resounding Rescue: God's deliverance is complete and final, symbolized by the preservation of the bones, which points to the hope of resurrection. This promise assures us that no matter the depth of our trials, God's redemption is certain. [19:58]
4. Magnifying God Together: Our worship magnifies God not by making Him appear larger but by revealing His true greatness. Together, we remind each other of God's vastness and glory, encouraging one another in faith. [30:27]
5. Joy in Affliction: True magnification of God occurs when we rejoice in Him, even amidst afflictions. Our joy and celebration in God's goodness make Him look as glorious as He truly is, especially when we experience His presence in difficult times. [33:40]
** [33:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction and Context
[00:29] - Opening Prayer
[01:12] - Marginalization of Christians
[02:18] - Psalm 34 and 1 Peter Connection
[03:10] - Celebrating Deliverance
[04:39] - Praising God in Hard Times
[05:26] - Tasting God's Goodness
[06:21] - God's People Will Suffer
[07:39] - Purpose of Affliction
[09:21] - Who Are the Righteous?
[11:15] - Preparing for Affliction
[12:20] - Doing Good While Waiting
[19:58] - God's Resounding Rescue
[30:27] - Celebrating God Together
[33:40] - Joy in Affliction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 34
- 1 Peter 3:10-12
- John 19:36

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Observation Questions:

What does Psalm 34:19 say about the afflictions of the righteous, and how does this verse set the tone for the rest of the psalm? [02:59]
How does the sermon describe the connection between Psalm 34 and 1 Peter, particularly in the context of affliction and deliverance? [02:18]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "I will bless the Lord at all times" in Psalm 34:1, especially during times of hardship? [03:54]
What role does the preservation of bones play in the sermon, and how is it connected to the hope of resurrection? [21:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the purpose of afflictions for the righteous compared to the wicked, and what implications does this have for believers today? [08:42]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that waiting for God's deliverance is an opportunity for believers to actively do good? How might this challenge common responses to suffering? [12:20]
How does the sermon explain the concept of magnifying God together, and what does this reveal about the nature of collective worship? [30:40]
What does the sermon suggest about the timing of God's deliverance, and how should this influence a believer's perspective on suffering and hope? [29:59]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent time of affliction in your life. How did you respond, and in what ways could you have better trusted in God's timing for deliverance? [13:11]
The sermon emphasizes doing good while waiting for God's deliverance. Identify one specific way you can actively do good in your current circumstances, even if they are challenging. [12:20]
Consider the idea of magnifying God through collective worship. How can you contribute to your community's worship in a way that reveals God's true greatness? [30:40]
The preservation of bones is a metaphor for resurrection and hope. How does this imagery impact your understanding of eternal life and the promises of God? [21:37]
The sermon discusses the importance of praising God at all times. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a habit of praise, even during difficult periods? [03:54]
How can you support others in your community who are experiencing affliction, helping them to see God's goodness and encouraging them to do good? [19:01]
Reflect on the concept of joy in affliction. How can you find joy in God's presence and promises, even when facing trials? What specific practices can help you maintain this joy? [33:40]

Sermon Clips

And seeing how Peter uses Psalm 34 I think really helps us see the richness of what King David is doing in this psalm as Peter saw Psalm 34 prepares us for our suffering prepares us for affliction it is not only a call to celebrate with David that he was delivered from affliction but as we celebrate with him we also prepare ourselves for our own afflictions whether those afflictions are already on us or whether those afflictions are coming. [00:03:15]

So why would David say at all times because there are times when praising the Lord might seem unusual or at least unexpected times when we assume that praise might cease and what times would those be it would be hard times times of affliction and yet David having come through such an affliction he says to us I will bless the Lord at all times not just the good times not just the times of rescue at all times in the afflictions not just the good times when praise is easy. [00:04:02]

Taste and see in bad times that the Lord is good in other words trust him against all odds when you're backed in a corner lean on him rest in him when there seems to be no way out when things are bad taste and see that the Lord is good that's the context of verse 8. So with help from the Apostle Peter on how to read Psalm 34 let's consider four truths from this psalm for our generation and in particular for us in these days of affliction of their various sorts in this pandemic. [00:06:02]

Many are the afflictions of the righteous let me let that statement have its effect nope let it pass by too quickly Jesus said his followers in John 16 33 in this world you will have tribulation and the Apostle Paul he went around to his church plants little baby churches and one of the first things he taught them one of the basics of the faith acts 14 22 through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. [00:07:08]

Affliction will slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned the Lord redeems the life of his servants none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned so affliction ruins the wicked it is the end of their story but affliction makes the righteous it is not their end it reveals their true colors it has a humbling effect rather than a hardening effect affliction has a purifying effect for the righteous even while it has a punitive effect for the wicked. [00:08:28]

The promise of divine rescue is not a promise of immediate rescue waiting in affliction is part of what makes it affliction the pandemic would not have been much affliction if it was one afternoon of being inside part of the waiting is part of the affliction God means for his people to endure in suffering that doesn't go away right away and first Peter is explicit about this element of God's timing at least three times in first Peter. [00:13:16]

Affliction is no excuse for gossip or slander or sinful anxiety or sinful anger or spiritual apathy in fact affliction is a call to God's people for precisely the opposite a pandemic is no sign from God that we're on a break and you have an excuse to be spiritually slack rather affliction rings in the ears of the righteous as a call to do good all the more to keep our tongues from evil and to keep our hearts from unbelief. [00:16:23]

God rescues his people resoundingly he rescues his people resoundingly this is verse 20 resoundingly not barely but fully and finally this is verse 20 but it also includes all the seemingly over-the-top language in this psalm did you hear all the alls and the nuns as you read through Psalm 34 listen to these verse 1 I will bless the Lord at all times verse 4 he delivered me from all my fears verse five their faces shall never be ashamed. [00:19:58]

Intact bones kept bones unbroken bones represent the hope of resurrection that God in his perfect timing will reassemble the bones and restore the flesh and give breath and bring dry bones back to full life with resurrection power so now we go back to Psalm 34 and God keeping the bones of the righteous this is a promise of resurrection God keeps the bones of the righteous to restore them and no will resurrection does not mean no death for the righteous doesn't mean no suffering in fact it requires death. [00:26:14]

God's people celebrate him together this is verse three in one sense it's the whole of the first half of the psalm verses one to ten but especially look at verse 3 oh magnify the Lord with me let us exalt his name together final question here as we end what does it mean to magnify God it does not mean to make him look bigger than he is as if when we gather to sing praises we make him look big when in fact he is small. [00:30:27]

Rather when we join our voices and our lives together in praise of our God we magnify him like a telescope telescopes take massive objects they look small to our frail human eyes and make them look like more of what they are which is enormous beyond our capacity to comprehend that is more like the magnifying that we do when we gather in worship and the kind of magnifying of God that we do for each other and for our world through our words and through our lives. [00:31:37]

Psalm 34 is not a detached objective report David is celebrating he is boiling over with joy he has tasted God's goodness in bad times he is happy so he says in verse two let the humble hear and be glad he's glad be glad with me God is not so magnified by our words and by our lives when we simply report the truth as he is when we rejoice in him when we are glad in him he looks good like he should when we celebrate him and his goodness to us and his goodness to all who look to him and fear him and seek him and take refuge in him then he is magnified greatly and especially when we taste and see that he is good in the midst of many afflictions. [00:33:40]

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Finding Joy and Purpose in Affliction

Devotional

Day 1: Afflictions as a Path to Refinement

Day 2: Active Faith in Waiting

Day 3: Assurance of Complete Redemption

Day 4: Collective Worship as a Telescope

Day 5: Joy in the Midst of Trials

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Finding Joy and Purpose in Affliction

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