Things Often Missing During Afflictions

 

By Bob W. Lovelace

 

   The applications in this brief study will deal with those who are in affliction. Dear reader, you will notice that with some of these God has no pleasure. For others, they see God’s faithfulness during their afflictions.

 

Those In Whom God Has No Pleasure:

 

  Grievous times can be the result of one’s own sin, the Psalmist said. There are many simple, applicable lessons from the Psalms concerning this very thing. Hear this, “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted” (Ps. 107:17). Listen to this noteworthy statement: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. [67] Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:66-67).  Hence affliction can cause one to want to learn and keep God’s statutes! He said, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn they statutes" (Ps. 119: 71). One shows another mercy by using the truth and requiring righteousness (Cf. Ps. 85:10). When afflicted we must not separate ourselves from God’s word! Again he said, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. [50] This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:49-50 ).

 

   Dear brother or sister in Christ it was God’s word that revived him. If one chooses to be separated from that Word then there is no revival to learn, to keep His commandments, and to receive strength and comfort. What a miserable affliction that would be! In that state sin is a source of depression in one’s life.

 

   Listen, the afflicted must endure and not cast away (“to throw off, cast aside”) their confidence (read Heb. 10:35-36). Here “confidence” means “all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance :” (Strong’s Help).

 

   Question: What are we to be so outspoken about? About our faith in Christ and salvation through Him. Often when people suffer or get sick they say nothing good about the church,  the Savior, or the hope of salvation! By contrast those who continue to be outspoken and frank, with the kind of bluntness that displays hearts set on heaven, strengthen others about them (Heb. 10:34; Phil. 1:14, 19-21). The point: there are spiritual things we need to speak when either sick or afflicted! When there is “no revival” (See above, Ps. 119:49-50.) one quits talking about salvation and spiritual things!

 

   To receive help and strength Paul prayed and then better understood the relationship between weakness and God’s strength and grace (read 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Acts 16:25). He continued to work (Cp. I Pet. 4:19). For encouragement one should remember if they endured affliction before then they can do it again (Heb. 10:32-34). Understanding the purpose of there being “many” trials and not one or none, that being to prove our faith, enables us have joy even in the midst of those trials (Cf. Ja. 1:2-4; 5:13) . Friends, those who loose all joy in afflictions do not really believe in the salvation of their souls! (read I Pet. 1:6-9). We really can rejoice while understanding that such produce humility and perseverance (2 Cor. 12:7, 10; Rom. 5:3-5).

 

   The Hebrew writer plainly said that God has no pleasure in those who draw back to perdition (Heb. 10:37-39). It appears that material goods mentioned in Heb. 10:34 along with ease of life was their greatest enemy. In Heb. 10:25 these caused some to loose interest in serving God on His terms!  “Draw back” means just that!

 

   Now let’s review some of these simple points:

1. Grievous times are the result of one’s own sins in Ps. 107:17.

2. When one separates their self from the Word there is no desire to learn, to keep His commands, and to receive comfort from God.

3. Some did not recall former times when they did joyfully endure afflictions with faithfulness.

4. Some cast away their confidence and quit speaking about spiritual things.

5. Some had no regard for worship, i.e. they lost interest in serving God on His terms (Heb. 10:24-25).

   Folks, you call that falling away! And what is the outcome? God has no pleasure in these!

 

Those Who See God’s Faithfulness During Affliction:

 

  The Bible teaches that the righteous often suffer affliction. Moses suffered affliction with the people of God because he was righteous (Heb. 11: 25). Timothy was told, "endure afflictions..." (2 Tim. 4: 5). In Heb. 13:23 he had been in prison. Paul said, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).

 

   Question: What are the differences between the two noted in this brief study?

 

   For one God hears the cry of the afflicted. He heard the cry of His people in bondage in Egypt and was aware of their sufferings (Ex. 3:7). The Psalmist said, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. [15] Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. [16] Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. [17] The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. [18] Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins” (Ps. 25:14-18).

 

   Question: What is the “secret of the Lord”? It says whoever has this will see His faithfulness. So, what is it? “Secret” ~ H5475 sod sode From H3245; a session, that is, company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret: - assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel). The “secret” is continued counsel with the Lord! Moreover the Psalmist tells us what we should do when “troubles are enlarged,” which means “to grow wide or large.” We can expect troubles and at times multiple troubles at the same time. We can expect this at times, but we should also expect to be delivered! (Cf. Ps. 34:7; I Cor. 10:13). The forgiveness of sins is also included in Ps. 25:18. 

 

   God’s promises also apply to our sicknesses.  “For I will restore health unto thee,” Jeremiah said (Jeremiah 30:17).  Concerning Epaphroditus, Paul said, “For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (Phil. 2:27). Paul’s reference to his own sorrow in this makes it plain that God considers our sorrows.

 

   There should be sessions with brethren who are faithful (Cf. James 5:14-16, 19-20; Jude 22-23). Question: Who “called” here? The one who was sick called! Many in the church do not know how to endure affliction or to get well. “Call” ~ Strong’s Help proskaleomai, Greek 4341, ...to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite :- call (for, to, unto). There is “desire” on their part here! Actually I see three things: sickness, prayer and sin forgiven based upon repentance and confession. This person cares about their health and soul. The mention of forgiveness shows their desire or concern was not to be just for their physical well being. It was not come and just take care of my physical problem, but come and take care to the degree that any spiritual problem will be taken care of as well! To hear instruction and reproofs keeps us among the wise (Prov. 15:31-33; Heb. 3:12-13;4:12-13). When you have James 5 types of situations it is clear that the spiritual is not ignored or overlooked!

 

 

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