Purposeful Afflictions
April 07, 2019      |     By: Sam McVay, Jr.      |      Category: Teachings      |      Location: El Dorado
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Afflictions, which come in many forms, are not our inheritance eternally.

It is right and holy to desire and expect deliverance from afflictions:
Psalms 34:19 (ESV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

And we should expect and experience the Lord’s Presence filled comfort IN our painful afflictions:
The Lord gives comfort in afflictions:
Psalms 119:50 (ESV)
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

But though we should desire and look for deliverance we must not miss the PURPOSE in our afflictions.

Purpose in affliction:
1. Afflictions increase obedience and reduce disloyalty to the Lord: Psalm 119:67
2. Afflictions are good in that they teach us more deeply the word of God: Psalms 119:71
3. Afflictions can actually be the result of the faithful care and sanctifying work of our loving Father: Psalms 119:75

Psalms 119:67 (ESV)
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalms 119:71 (ESV)
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalms 119:75 (ESV)
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.