Affliction,Obedience and the Goodness of God

Psalm 119:65-72 Teth

Intro

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in scripture. It is a masterpiece of poetry in song celebrating the glory of God’s word. Every verse, in some way, extols Gods statutes, commandments, precepts and testimonies.

John Calvin saw Psalm 119 as a comprehensive celebration of God’s word,but not in a legalistic sense. For him,the psalm shows that the law is precious because it comes from a gracious God and is the means by which believers are guided,comforted, and sanctified.

Psalm 119 is divided into sections labeled Alpha, Beta, Gimel,Daleth,…..Teth ,Yode,Kaph, etc.because it is written as an alphabetic acrostic in Hebrew.

The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. Psalm 119 has 22 sections,one for each letter. Each section has 8 verses,and in every verse that section begins with the same Hebrew letter.

So Psalm 119 is divided this way because God inspired it as a perfect alphabet-structured hymn declaring the glory sufficiency, and sweetness of His Word from beginning to end.

Today i want to focus on verses 65-72, a section marked by the Hebrew letter Teth. This stanza deals deeply with affliction, obedience, and the unwavering goodness of God.

Teth is the 9th letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is symbolic of Goodness. This letter first appears in Genesis 1:4 when after saying “Let there be light.” in verse 3 it goes on to say “and God saw the light ,and it was good.

In these verses the Psalmist is giving what is essentially a testimony as he states God has been good to him, God has taught him through affliction, and God’s word is the greatest treasure he possesses.

This text helps believers understand why God not only sends affliction but how he uses it as a means of grace to conform us to the will of Christ.

READ THE TEXT

Point 1: God’s goodness revealed in his dealings.(v.65-66)

The Psalmist begins not with a complaint but with worship. He acknowledges that everything God has done in his life is good.

Something that should be apparent to all of who are redeemed right?

God word is Holy because God is Holy. Therefore, logically, Everything God does is good because God is good. So to submit to scripture,is to submit to God

Acknowledging everything God does is good is covenental language: God deals with us according to his word and it is not random; it is rooted in His promise and even his discipline flows from love. The writer of Hebrews acknowledges this in Chapter 12 v. 6 when he states “For those whom he loves he disciplines, and he chastises every son whom he receives. The Legacy Standard Bible translation of this verse uses the word flog rather than the word chastise. Chastise means to criticize, scold or rebuke someone. Usually because they have done something wrong. Flog more accurately denotes something physical which seems to align more with the idea of this passage.

Gods’ dealings are always consistent with his word. He never contradicts himself. What he reveals in scripture is what he performs in providence. The psalmist trusts in Gods word as an act of faith at all times.

When circumstances change, when affliction comes, and when enemies surround him, he anchors his soul in the unchanging goodness of God.

In verse 66 the psalmist prays for sanctified discernment. He acknowledges his need in that the Christian life is not lived on instinct. We as believers need God to teach us how we are to think and how we are to live.

This is the doctrine of illumination. Which is when the spirit opens our eyes to understand and apply God’s truth.

Faith is the foundation. Instruction is the need.

And A true believer desires both.

Point 2: God’s goodness is displayed through affliction.(v.67-71)

Here we have the heart of the passage.

A deep truth is found in verse 67 Where it reads “I went astray, but now i keep your word.” And that truth, is that affliction is often corrective.

Affliction can reveal what prosperity often hides.

The Psalmist also confesses his prior wandering.

You see, seasons of comfort often lead to complacency, prosperity can dull our spiritual sensitivity, but affliction, Ahhhh affliction can and often does awaken us to our need for God.

Affliction also becomes an instument of grace.

This was the case in my own life. 12 years and 4 month ago i was on a downhill slide headed straight for Hell. I was arrogant, self centered, self indulgent and my plans were the plans of an evil man. Then qn the night of August 2,2013 God struck me with affliction. Without going into every detail i blacked out standing up in a public restroom fell forward with no restraint and face plante onto a urinal on my way to the floor. When i awakened mere moments later i could speak and blink my eyes but had no movement or feeling from the neck down.

But do you want to know something? i had never felt more calm or at peace in my entire life before that moment. And as i was being attended to by the bathroom attendant before emergency personnel arrived i quietly said the words “ God if this is your will, if this is my punishment for the evil life i have been living then God i accept it.” Shortly after that i remember being able to midly move my toes and fingers. 2 days later after a neurologist did a ct scan of my neck the doctor came into my hospital room an said “ you know something Jeff? Its a miracle that with all that damage that was done to my neck in that fall that there is no tear of your spinal cord. He said there is a large contusion and you may never be able to get around without an assistive device of some kind. But by the grace of God your not paralyzed and you will make something of a recovery. 8 months later i would return to work with the doctors glowing about the huge strides i had made. During that time i had been studying the scriptures with purpose and intent. i had new found zeal for the things of the Lord. also that was when i stumble acoss this section of the Psalms and finally realized that what happened wasnt punishment but correction. Since that time i am still on a journey of recoverey from physical affliction. Yet with that always there reminder i can physically feel that i may have lost some physical abilities that day but i had gained something much more valuable. i had gained a much closer relationship with Christ and a much greater understanding of His grace.

As you can see: Affliction becomes an instrument of grace—-not a punishment for sin. But discipline for sanctification.

Affliction also magnifies Gods goodness.

Now here is the theological anchor of the whole passage in verse 68.

God is good and therefore everything he does is good.

Not feels good. But God’s very nature is good.

His Commands

His Providences

His timing

His disciplene

His ways we do not understand

EVRYTHING

And only when we believe in Gods goodness can we trust his afflictions.

Affliction also distinguishes the believer from the wicked. (v 69-70)

While the psalmist is humbled with affliction, the wicked remain hard. Affliction softens the Godly, but hardens the rebellious. The wicked fabricate lies, they possess dull calloused hearts, and they resist Gods truth. The believer says; with my whole heart i keep your precepts, i delight in your law.

Affliction clarifies who truly belongs to God,

Affliction is ultimately a blessing. (v.71)

It is good for me that i was afflicted, that i might learn your statutes.

This is one of the most counterintuitive verses in all of scripture. Affliction is good- not because it is pleasant, but because it accomplishes spiritual good.

Affliction is a tool of sanctification, a revelation of hidden sin,a means of deeper dependence upon God, and a path toward greater obedience. The psalmist doesnt say “i enjoyed being afflicted,” but, that affliction produced something good in me.

This is Romans 8:28 lived out in experience. We’ve all heard this verse many times,many of us likely know it by heart

Romans 8 28

English Standard Version Chapter 8

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Point 3: Gods goodness is treasured in his word (v.72)

The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Let’s say Trillions of dollars. The point is the law of His mouth is more valuable than anything a man could ever acquire.

The stanza ends with treasure. The word of God becomes the believers wealth. ———After passing through affliction that affliction changes us.

It changed Moses.

Just think about all the different forms of affliction Moses was burdened with. He was

-Rejected by hid own people numerous times

-Burdened with intercession

-He was meek, yet opposed.

-And he was Faithful under suffering.

Wh else in the Bible does that sound like?

Jesus

Hebrews 11:25 “ says of Moses that he chose rather to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

We should therefore see the Scriptures as priceless. The world prizes wealth, success and status.The believer prizes the word of GOD. In our reformed tradition we have historically emphasized this high view of scripture. Sola Scriptura or Scripture alone is the sole basis for our teaching and admonishment. Its sufficiency, clarity, authority, and necessity are all we need to rightly teach, proclaim and obey God.

The word is valued because it reveals God himself.

This is why it is better than riches

Riches can never reveal God

Riches willperish while scripture remains

Riches cannot sanctify, scripture can.

Affliction strips away false treasures and reveals the surpassing worth of the Word.

All scripture points to Christ including Psalm 119

Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of this passage.

He obeyed perfectly and never strayed. Yet he learned obedience through suffering.

Hebrews 5:8 says Although he was a son , he learned obedience through what he suffered. We are called to suffer as Christ suffered.

He treasured the Fathers word above all earthly goods.

He endured affliction for our redemption.

He is the embodiment of God’s goodness.

And because Christ endured affliction for us our affliction is never punitive, It is always purifying, it is always sanctifying. and it is always good.

Finally a few quick thoughts; How can we apply what we see in this passage to our walk?

1.Trust in Gods goodness even when circumstances seem harsh

2.Pray for discernment and teachability

3.If you are suffering from some affliction,Examine what affliction reveals about your own heart.

4. Is there unrepentant sin in your life? What sin does God want to expose?

Where have i wandered?

5. Treasure the word more than Godly gain.Affliction reveals the bankruptcy of earthly treasure and the eternal worth of God’s word.

This stanza marked by the Hebrew letter Teth teaches us that;

1.God is always good in his dealings.

2.God is good in afflictions

3.God is good in his word

Affliction becomes the classroom where God teaches his servants the sweetness of obedience and the surpassing value of scripture.

My prayer is that we may all be able to be like the psalmist and be able to say when affliction comes to us;

“ It is good for me that i was afflicted, that i might learn your statutes.’

(lets pray. or amen)