Affliction is a blessing.
Trials refine us, pain opens our eyes to the realities of life, and sorrow tunes us into what really matters. And on and on through life, it goes. Traumatic and painful experiences actually help us be more aware and a part of the world around us.
This morning we find that when troubles come, and we experience affliction it forces us to test the Promises of God. Remember that this is the 6th point in our discovery in Psalm 119 — of the Seven Blessings of Affliction.
AFFLICTION is used by God because it;
1. PUSHES US INTO GOD’S WORD: Psalm 119:50
2. PULLS US BACK ONTO THE PATH: Psalm 119:67
3. CHISELS GOD’S PLAN INTO OUR LIFE: Psalm 119:71
4. TEACHES US THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL: Psalm 119:75
5. KEEPS US FOCUSED ON OUR TEACHER: Psalm 119:92
6. FORCES US TO TEST HIS PROMISES: Psalm 119:107
7. BRINGS GOD TO OUR DOORSTEP: Psalm 119:153
Now to illustrate this point, turn with me to Hebrews 11.8-19.
In Hebrews 11 God briefly summarizes one of the greatest men of human history – Abraham.
o Abraham is the 2nd man that God chose to appear to after Adam.
o God walks with Enoch, talks with Noah — but APPEARS to Abraham. That makes Abraham very special.
But with every blessing comes responsibility. And with the appearance of God to Abraham at age 75, comes 100 years of lessons in the promises of God; and most of them would be called by us – afflictions.
Hebrews 11. 8-19 summarizes the entire life of Abraham as a life of faith. What made it a life that God says reflected enough faith to be called the ‘father of the faithful”? Simply this – Abraham did what the Lord asked him to do, and went on a journey even though he didn’t know where, he did not know how, he did not know when, and he did not know why.
Aphorism CITY 