Psalm 119:71-It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
The writer of this text is a man who has known great troubles in his life.
It is in affliction, pain and suffering where God's unconditional love and compassion is seen. Coming to the end of ourselves will give us clear view.
Debra said "in her afflictions" I too saw the Lord high and lifted up above all my struggles, pains and suffering. It was in my "afflictions" where I gained a new perspective of God and my need for Him like never before.
Job, in his afflictions, trusted God and was blessed by God in a greater knowledge of Him and in tangible wealth.
Believe it or not, but God does not allow trouble to happen for no reason at all. He is involved in them and He has a purpose in allowing trouble to come our way, regardless of how bad they may seem. Trouble in our lives is no accident!
Look back over your life and all that you have suffered. We all have benefited from suffering in one way or another. It was the best thing that could have happened to us for it taught us to obey God commands.
Are you in a place of pain and suffering right now? Psalm 34:17-The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
God heard you also the first time you cried out to Him. And He started working on your deliverance immediately.
God's purpose is to refine us. To put us in the refiners furnace and to have us look more like Christ every time we come out of the fire.
We overcome afflictions by the blood and the word of our testimony!
Psalm 119:67- Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your Word.
God bless.
Debra