Fortunate Affliction

October 17

(Psalm 119:67-72 NIV) “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. {68} You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. {69} Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. {70} Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. {71} It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. {72} The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

(Hebrews 12:5-11 NIV) “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, {6} because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." {7} Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? {8} If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. {9} Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! {10} Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. {11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

The idea that some of our afflictions might come from God is offensive to many. They argue that a loving God would never bring discomfort and pain to those He cares about. But when you look through Scripture, you find many occasions where God afflicted and disciplined those He loved. Beginning with Adam and Eve, God has shown a desire to be involved in our lives -- sometimes in blessing, sometimes in rebuke; sometimes in provision, sometimes in denial. We are God’s children! What loving father wouldn’t discipline his children for their own good? And though affliction and discipline are seldom pleasant, they can produce beneficial changes in us that would not otherwise happen. The Lord has our good in mind, even when the discipline pains us. So when our fortunate affliction comes, let us submit and listen. God’s voice of correction may be speaking to us. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day