Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71
Being able to say this verse to God, shows how much a heart change has taken place in the life of the psalmist. In his life, the psalmist was familiar with rough individuals. He was surrounded by men who were not virtuous in their dealings. He knew insolence from innocence.
The Bible is so counter-cultural. It would be hard to imagine anyone other than a believer in Jesus Christ appreciating the full weight of this verse.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 ESV
I remember living a life of sin rooted in ignorance, pride, fear, and anger. While I did not know it at the time, I was in full rebellion to God. Then I was afflicted…
Broken, I realized that there were now people in my life that counted me as their enemy. My moralism instructed me to try harder, do better, be perfect, and just do not mess up. Well, that was exhausting and just led me to feelings of guilt and shame.
As a young adult, I lived my plan which failed quickly. Then I tried to live a well-calculated legalistic life which also led to more failure. My first plan was self-centered, rebellious behavior. The next plan was a self-centered legalistic life. Neither put God at the center.
Today I still struggle with walking in the gospel in all areas of my life. But I am learning to listen with the ears of my heart and see with the eyes of my heart. I am learning to allow my heart to soften by letting go of the past and walking in the abundance that God has for me. I am thriving to embrace my imperfections and see life as a mystery (letting go of stoic-like thinking).
As a believer, we live for the glory of God which is our actual good. Walking in our “true identity” in the Kingdom of God is the best, most secure, most valuable place to be. My life is not my own, I have been bought at a price. The bible says that those who pursue gaining their life will lose it while those willing to give away their life will gain it.
The beauty of getting older is that you see things more clearly. Reading scripture, praying, seeing life play out in front of your eyes reinforces these eternal truths.
The ways of the world are fleeting, and life is just vapor. A mist as James writes.
…yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 ESV
It was good that God chose to afflict me in my youth so that He could begin the redemptive process of conforming into the image of the Son. For that I will be eternally grateful.
If you would like to talk more about how suffering and affliction has meaning in the life of a Christian, Burke Care is here to walk through this process with you.
God, it is good that You afflicted me. It brought me hungry and thirsty to Your Word. I need You to reveal Yourself to me. I need to know who You are, what Your character is, and what You promise. I need to know what this looks like in the life of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. Make me follow You longing for the truth that the Kingdom of God is in place today. Amen.
Application Questions:
Do I listen for God in my suffering or am I busy complaining?
What noise distracts me away from what God is up to in my life?
What am I waiting for to change so that I can begin pursuing the truth of God’s Word? Why am I waiting?
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