Bible Reading: Psalm 22, 1 John 3: 9-17
“For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted: neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. – Psalm 22:24(KJV)
The bible never promised us as Christians that affliction will not come. God’s promise to us is that he will make a way of escape. When the King of kings took flesh and dwell among us, see what the scriptures said about Jesus Christ: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Affliction is not necessarily as a result of sin. It is a product of the general sin and satanic wickedness against man. All the negatives around us today were not there at Eden before man sinned against God. Satan, the arch enemy of man, capitalized on the fall of man to continuously afflict humanity.
Affliction can be defined as a condition of great distress, pain or suffering. It can be physical as in an injury, disease etc. It can be mental or emotional such as grief for a lost one, barrenness, joblessness etc. We have examples in the scriptures of those who suffered affliction and cried unto God and he answered them. A very good example is Jabez, who was afflicted of dishonour and lack but when he cried unto God, He turned his situation and became more honourable than all his brethren (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Another example is Hannah who was afflicted with barrenness and cried unto God. God heard her and gave her children (1 Samuel 1: 8-11). Affliction will definitely come. The issue is who do you run to? The bible says in Psalm 34:19(KJV): “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” This is a powerful divine promise. The Psalmist cried in Psalm 25:19(KJV): “Consider mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sin.” So even a righteous man can suffer affliction, but the end of affliction comes from God.
Mockery is another terrible source of affliction. Where will a sister who married as a virgin and had no issue run to other than God. The man that was diagnosed of low sperm count or infertility; where should he seek for help other than from God? What of the young man who prepares very well for examination and gets into the hall each time and become blank? Where will he run to? That is why the bible encourages us to cry to God as King David did, to seek mercy and forgiveness of sin from God.
God found a ransom in Jesus Christ when He afflicted him with the suffering, pains and agony of sin in our place. See the unequal love of God demonstrated in the lines of this scriptures: “He is chastened also with pain upon the bed, and multitude of his bones with strong pain: So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen ; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea. His soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” – Job 33:19-24(KJV).
Anyone passing through severe affliction hear this, God has found a ransom in Christ for your complete deliverance. As a messenger of the Most High, I bring to you the message of Love and Hope. Repent of your sin, accept Christ into your life as your Lord and Saviour and you shall be saved (1 John 1:9).
Prayer: Father, my trust is in you and I know you will deliver me from every affliction of the enemy.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo