In Psalms 119:71, we read, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Sometimes they are physical, presenting challenges and/or pain. Sometimes they are emotional; and again, they have their own types of challenge and pain. And for the child of God who is endeavoring to live right, do right, and encourage others in the same, we are regularly battling the flesh and the world as we press into the yoke of faithful discipleship to our Lord and as we are exercised in the fellowship of suffering for righteousness’ sake.
And so, the psalmist says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Afflictions have a way of keeping our feet on the ground and humbling our hearts. Afflictions remind us that we are not nearly as strong as we thought we were. Afflictions remind us of our constant need of our Lord and Savior: our need of His tender mercies and of our need to feel His love and presence in our lives each day. It is good for us. It strengthens us. It helps to keep us in our place, it helps us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and it conditions us to be more ready to faithful service. After all, the Lord certainly does know exactly what we need. And when there is a need for some type of affliction, we should patiently receive it as did Job when he said, “… What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10)
This lesson reminds me of a poem I heard years ago which says, “I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I learned from her, When sorrow walked a mile with me.” (Robert Browning Hamilton)
When afflictions bring us down, remember that they can be good for us when we receive them like Job. Look up to the only One who can help at all times. Then, look into His word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in it. As David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Quite frankly, there is something more for us to learn from God in every affliction we encounter.
This week, may our prayer be that our afflictions will teach us more perfectly God’s good and right way. And all the while, remember that it is actually good for us; IF, we receive it in the right spirit, and allow our mind and heart to be exercised by it.
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell
Afflictions come in various ways.And so, the psalmist says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Afflictions have a way of keeping our feet on the ground and humbling our hearts. Afflictions remind us that we are not nearly as strong as we thought we were. Afflictions remind us of our constant need of our Lord and Savior: our need of His tender mercies and of our need to feel His love and presence in our lives each day. It is good for us. It strengthens us. It helps to keep us in our place, it helps us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and it conditions us to be more ready to faithful service. After all, the Lord certainly does know exactly what we need. And when there is a need for some type of affliction, we should patiently receive it as did Job when he said, “… What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10)
This lesson reminds me of a poem I heard years ago which says, “I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I learned from her, When sorrow walked a mile with me.” (Robert Browning Hamilton)
When afflictions bring us down, remember that they can be good for us when we receive them like Job. Look up to the only One who can help at all times. Then, look into His word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in it. As David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Quite frankly, there is something more for us to learn from God in every affliction we encounter.
This week, may our prayer be that our afflictions will teach us more perfectly God’s good and right way. And all the while, remember that it is actually good for us; IF, we receive it in the right spirit, and allow our mind and heart to be exercised by it.
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell