Afflicted by God Part 2
Psalm 119:71–72 (NASB95) It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
So, what does the Psalmist mean when he states that God afflicts us?
There are scholars, theologians, atheists, and others who argue that the God of the Old Testament is harsh and brutal. Their argument often takes the form of a question designed to sow doubt among those who follow Christ.
(Please note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links to author pages on Amazon.com. If you purchase anything using our links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you!)
What is this question?
“If God is a loving Being, how can He allow suffering and be the Author of our afflictions?”
This question suggests that God's character is flawed. However, we must remember that love and justice go hand in hand. God disciplines those He loves to teach them the difference between right and wrong and to bring them closer to Him. Just as a loving parent corrects a child's disobedience for the child's benefit—keeping them from engaging in harmful actions—God guides believers for their own good.
The writer of Hebrews makes this point clear in Chapter 12:7-8, where he writes, “It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Affliction, when viewed through the lens of a parent or guardian's discipline, is not a foreign concept; it's not meaningless. Being afflicted by God can be positive because it is through such trials that we recognize our faults and failures—our sins—which require repentance and a return to God, who can deliver us. Furthermore, it is through affliction that one finds comfort and becomes a source of comfort for others, as noted in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
Additionally, we must remember that it was the Father who afflicted His own Son on behalf of humanity. Christ Jesus bore the Father's wrath for those who believe. It is through His suffering and sacrificial death that He offers salvation to those who surrender to His Lordship (Job 36:15; Isaiah 30:18-22; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).
If you need help and you're looking for solid biblical care and counsel, please don't hesitate to contact us at Christ-Centered Solutions.
Peace and Blessings to you!
P.S. Here's a great gift idea this Christmas for someone who loves to keep notes as they read God'sWord, the ESV Scripture Journal. I have both the Old and New Testament sets, and I love them. Please follow this link (https://amzn.to/4oSSPrM) to get yours on Amazon. Remember, when you shop on Amazon, you help Christ-Centered Solutions with each purchase.
So, what does the Psalmist mean when he states that God afflicts us?
There are scholars, theologians, atheists, and others who argue that the God of the Old Testament is harsh and brutal. Their argument often takes the form of a question designed to sow doubt among those who follow Christ.
(Please note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links to author pages on Amazon.com. If you purchase anything using our links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you!)
What is this question?
“If God is a loving Being, how can He allow suffering and be the Author of our afflictions?”
This question suggests that God's character is flawed. However, we must remember that love and justice go hand in hand. God disciplines those He loves to teach them the difference between right and wrong and to bring them closer to Him. Just as a loving parent corrects a child's disobedience for the child's benefit—keeping them from engaging in harmful actions—God guides believers for their own good.
The writer of Hebrews makes this point clear in Chapter 12:7-8, where he writes, “It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Affliction, when viewed through the lens of a parent or guardian's discipline, is not a foreign concept; it's not meaningless. Being afflicted by God can be positive because it is through such trials that we recognize our faults and failures—our sins—which require repentance and a return to God, who can deliver us. Furthermore, it is through affliction that one finds comfort and becomes a source of comfort for others, as noted in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
Additionally, we must remember that it was the Father who afflicted His own Son on behalf of humanity. Christ Jesus bore the Father's wrath for those who believe. It is through His suffering and sacrificial death that He offers salvation to those who surrender to His Lordship (Job 36:15; Isaiah 30:18-22; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).
If you need help and you're looking for solid biblical care and counsel, please don't hesitate to contact us at Christ-Centered Solutions.
Peace and Blessings to you!
P.S. Here's a great gift idea this Christmas for someone who loves to keep notes as they read God'sWord, the ESV Scripture Journal. I have both the Old and New Testament sets, and I love them. Please follow this link (https://amzn.to/4oSSPrM) to get yours on Amazon. Remember, when you shop on Amazon, you help Christ-Centered Solutions with each purchase.
Posted in biblical counseling, Pain, suffering, discipline, Christ\'s suffering
Posted in pain, biblical counseling, Job 36, Hebrews 12, 2 Corinthians 1, prayer, suffering, affliction, grace, goodness, protection
Posted in pain, biblical counseling, Job 36, Hebrews 12, 2 Corinthians 1, prayer, suffering, affliction, grace, goodness, protection
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