Affliction and Comfort
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Affliction and the goodness of God
So far in the psalm two tunes or themes have played.
One is the delight the singer has in the word of God because it promises him a glorious future.
Psalm 119:11 “11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:9 “9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
The other is the theme of suffering.
He is 'a sojourner' (v. 19)
Psalm 119:19 “19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.”
suffering scorn and contempt (v. 22),
Psalm 119:22 “22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.”
with princes plotting against him (v. 23),
Psalm 119:23 “23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.”
his soul clinging to the dust (v. 25),
Psalm 119:25 “25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.”
being taunted (v. 42), and
Psalm 119:42 “42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.”
yet with a measure of comfort in affliction (v. 50).
Psalm 119:50 “50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Now in this section the singer does something hugely significant. He plays both runes together, and shows us how they harmonize.
<school>
Affliction is God’s good school for his people. 65-68
Affliction is God’s good school for his people. 65-68
65 Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
In our affliction, we want God to change the situation, we want God to fit our plans and desires, we want God to view everything from our perspective, to agree with us, yet, it is our desires our plans, our perspective that needs to change…
But isn’t it hard.
Hard to … James 1:2–3 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
When things don’t go our way, when we have to work hard, wait a long time, endure affliction, yet others have things fall in the lap… it is hard.
We need to remember God is good, he does good, his judgements are good.
Hebrews 12:5–11 “5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for…”
(66-67)
God uses our affliction to teach us… knowledge, good judgement, to stay on the right path.
God uses our affliction to drive us to his word!
Why?
His word is where we see his goodness
His word is where we see his good works
His word is where we see his good judgment played out in real time, among real people
His word is where we see his good promise for us
Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
<paint smear>
Affliction comes as the believer is smeared with lies because of his loyalty to the truth. 69, 70
Affliction comes as the believer is smeared with lies because of his loyalty to the truth. 69, 70
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.
The Psalmist is experiencing a particular kind of affliction…
The lies of those who oppose the truth… they smear people, smear their character
Why?
Because of a commitment to the truth.
A key debate of the last 20-30 years for church… identity, particularly sexual identity.
For those who want to change with the times, one of the arguments against those upholding the truth was, “you are unloving, and Jesus teaches, love your neighbour.”
Love here = agree with me and my life choices.
But love, divorced from truth, is no longer love, it is itself the lie.
Another argument that has come, especially with same sex marriage/unions, is “we need to stay united as a church.” So, those who try to uphold the truth are branded as divisive.
But without truth, there can be no true unity.
Jesus is the truth, he calls his people to be one in him, take away truth, and we are no longer one with Jesus.
Other lies we see through this time…
God didn’t really say homosexual activity is a sin.
Jesus didn’t teach against same-sex marriage, so he must be for it.
These are lies, the began outside the church, and now plague churches around the world, and if you choose to stand for the truth, you will be branded, you will be lied about.
Are you prepared for this? Are you ready when it comes, to commit to your good God?
<bible>
The more we are afflicted, the more we value the word. 71, 72
The more we are afflicted, the more we value the word. 71, 72
71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
<cross and crowd>
As afflicted believers, we are encouraged by other afflicted believers. 73-80
As afflicted believers, we are encouraged by other afflicted believers. 73-80
73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. 75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. 79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. 80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
Hebrews 12:1–3 “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”