Can you comment on affliction?
Introduction. There are about 43 different Hebrew and Greek words translated "affliction." The general idea is "grieve," "to lower," "to make heavy," "bruised," and "evil." James mentions the prophets as an example of affliction (Jas, 5: 10, cf. Jere. 20: 8; 11:19, 21; 17: 18).
Some false views regarding affliction. Some mistakenly believe all affliction is the result of the sufferer's own sin. Jesus addressed and challenged this erroneous thinking. "Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans," Jesus asked, "because they suffered such things?" (Luke 13: 2). Jesus then answered his own question, "I tell you, nay..." (vs. 3). Of course, grievous times can be the result of one's own sin (Ps. 107: 17).
The righteous often suffer affliction. Moses suffered affliction with the people of God because of righteousness (Heb. 11: 25). Timothy was told, "endure afflictions..." (2 Tim. 4: 5). "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus," Paul wrote, "shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3: 12). rest assured, however, God hears the cry of the afflicted (Job 34: 28; Ps. 25: 14-18; Ex. 3: 7).
What to do when afflicted. Turn to God: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn they statutes" (Ps. 119: 71). God's word the obedient afflicted (Ps. 119: 49, 50). The afflicted must endure, however, and not "cast away confidence" (Heb. 10: 32, 35). God has no pleasure in those who draw back to perdition (vs. 39).
Conclusion. Ease of life is a great enemy to spirituality, generally speaking. We live in such an atmosphere today; hence, there is relatively little real interest in serving God on His terms. Remember, affliction can cause on to want to learn God's Statutes or laws (Ps. 119: 71).
Some false views regarding affliction. Some mistakenly believe all affliction is the result of the sufferer's own sin. Jesus addressed and challenged this erroneous thinking. "Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans," Jesus asked, "because they suffered such things?" (Luke 13: 2). Jesus then answered his own question, "I tell you, nay..." (vs. 3). Of course, grievous times can be the result of one's own sin (Ps. 107: 17).
The righteous often suffer affliction. Moses suffered affliction with the people of God because of righteousness (Heb. 11: 25). Timothy was told, "endure afflictions..." (2 Tim. 4: 5). "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus," Paul wrote, "shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3: 12). rest assured, however, God hears the cry of the afflicted (Job 34: 28; Ps. 25: 14-18; Ex. 3: 7).
What to do when afflicted. Turn to God: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn they statutes" (Ps. 119: 71). God's word the obedient afflicted (Ps. 119: 49, 50). The afflicted must endure, however, and not "cast away confidence" (Heb. 10: 32, 35). God has no pleasure in those who draw back to perdition (vs. 39).
Conclusion. Ease of life is a great enemy to spirituality, generally speaking. We live in such an atmosphere today; hence, there is relatively little real interest in serving God on His terms. Remember, affliction can cause on to want to learn God's Statutes or laws (Ps. 119: 71).