Tag Archives: suffering

Psalm 119:65-80 Finding purpose in affliction

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little-girl-1611352_960_720(65) You have dealt with me – I take it as a statement of gratitude. Some days, it’s a wonder God chooses to deal with us at all.  (66) Teach me good judgment – who or what have I misjudged lately?

(67) Before I was afflicted I went astray  – “Often trials act as a thorn hedge to keep us in good pasture; but our prosperity is a gap [in the hedge] through which we go astray.” (Charles Spurgeon).

(68) Teach me – how willing are we to learn from God?  Their heart is as fat as grease – we know a fatty heart is a recipe for a medical disaster.  What about our spiritual heart (pride)?  (71) It is good that I was afflicted – in this case affliction led to restoration, looking back the psalmist deemed that good.

(73) Your hands made me – God knows everything about us.  (75) I know your judgments are right – how much do we trust God’s judgment? (76) Comfort – God is able to help me in times of my affliction. (80) Which is more important, to be held in high esteem by man or God?

Matt Chandler’s video series on this portion of Psalm 119 highlights when we are afflicted, God is not an ambulance driver wringing his hands or trying to figure out what he is going to do.  Instead he is more like a surgeon.  Spiritual Surgery during affliction is God’s tool for cutting away things that may harm us in the long run.  For the Christian there is a redemption (purpose) to be found in suffering.

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“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28 NLT

The Problem of Evil

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Ecclesiastes chapter 8.  As Solomon continues to process his thoughts on the benefits of wisdom, he comes up against the problem of evil. The existence of evil in our world is not generally one that godless people (unbelievers) concern themselves with. Those who don’t know God may not like evil, but it is what it is. The problem of evil lies with people of faith. If God is good and loving, why is evil allowed to fester in our world, and why is there so much suffering?

Warren Wiersbe explores the problem of evil in three areas: Authority (8:1-9); Inequity (8:10-14); Mystery (8:15-17)

military-662863_960_720Authority

Rulers have oppressed good citizens since the time of Nimrod (Genesis 10). Ancient rulers weren’t elected democratically. They held the power of life and death over their subjects. Rulers were sovereign and each ruler believed that he or she made no wrong decrees.

But what if a ruler asks an officer to do something evil? Should he:

  1. Be disobedient (v2) – Solomon advises to keep kings command. Be loyal (he made an oath to serve the ruler. Following orders avoids punishment
  2. Consider desertion (v3) – Officer risks punishment or worse. Desertion would preserve his character.
  3. Be defiant (v3) – Solomon advises not to get involved with a plot to overthrow the king. Is there a time and place for defiance?  In Acts 3:29 Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Christians must obey their consciences.   Disagreement demands “wisdom and grace.”
  4. Use discernment (v5-6) – Understanding proper time and procedure (text uses judgment) under which the officer can operate. The lives of Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, Nehemiah in Persia demonstrate the use of discernment (James 1:5; 3:17-18)

Inequity

The righteous get what wicked deserve, wicked what the righteous deserve. The example we are given is of a deceased man who routinely visited the temple. He had not lived a godly life but praise was heaped upon him. The truly godly people of the city were ignored or forgotten.

Mankind continues to sin because it can be gotten away with. God is viewed as being asleep at the helm. However, God is long-suffering and doesn’t judge sinners immediately (2 Peter 3:1-12).

interview-851440_960_720There will be a judgment of the wicked, rewards for righteous

Mystery

“The person who has to know everything, or who thinks he knows everything is destined for disappointment in this world.” Wiersbe

Will Durant, a historian, concluded, “Our knowledge is a receding mirage in an expanding desert of ignorance.”

If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know            1 Corinthians 8:2

Solomon admonishes us for the 4th time to enjoy life and the fruits of our labor.

Solomon does not reject wisdom; instead, he finds it necessary and useful to get the most out of life.