Day 147: When Affliction Comes…

27 May, 2021

The Daily Word: Thursday, May 27th, 2021
2 Samuel 12:1-31
John 16:1-33
Psalm 119:65-80
Proverbs 16:4-5
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. – Ps. 119:71

The psalmist here makes an interesting confession: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” But affliction is bad! Affliction means that pain or suffering has come into your life. So why on earth would the psalmist claim that the presence of affliction in his life is a good thing?

Affliction drove him straight to God’s word. It was good for him to be afflicted, because it caused him to learn God’s statutes. It taught him to obey God’s command! It reminded him that anything out of line with God’s word isn’t worth doing because it violates our divine design.

When pain and suffering enter into your life, reflect on what hasn’t worked. It doesn’t work to try and take matters into your own hands. It doesn’t work to trust in other people instead of God. It doesn’t work to operate with pride instead of humility! Now go back to God’s word, and try what He says instead! Sometimes affliction happens because we’re following Jesus; but sometimes affliction happens because we stray from God’s word. So when affliction comes into your life, see it as a reminder to get back to the word of God and “learn from [His] statutes.”

God doesn’t bring the affliction. Affliction is a natural consequence of our sinful behavior when we are far from God. Affliction does, however, turn us back to God. God uses all things for our good (Rom 8:28)! And He will restore you when you turn to Him.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James. 1:2-4

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that every moment of affliction in my life would take me back to You! When affliction comes, help me to see it as a reminder that I need You more than anything else and ever before! I pray that every ounce of pain and suffering in my life would return me to Your word. I need You, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.