TOPIC: AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS (Part 2)
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 35, 36; 2 Peter 1
“What do ye imagine against the LORD? He will make an utter end; affliction shall not rise up the second time”. Nahum 1:9 (KJV).
Coming from our study of yesterday we discovered that God did not promise us as believers affliction-free Christian journey, but to deliver us from all afflictions that will rise on our way. As hard and painful as affliction may be there are associated benefits derivable from it, for God uses it as our learning and examination for a higher level of spiritual maturity. It is expected that for every affliction we pass through there is something to learn and gain. Every level of education attracts necessary teachings and examination to move to our next level. Affliction comes as a teacher and coming through it means a pass that will move us to our next level. Affliction is a correction rod used in redirecting our spiritual focus on God as enunciated in Hosea 5:15 (KJV), “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early”.
Affliction is part of seal of approval as the minister of God clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 6: 4-5 (KJV), “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonment, tumults, in labour in watching and fasting;” Affliction which is but for a moment when overcome, produces in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Affliction is God’s tool of refinement. God uses the furnace of affliction to refine us towards perfection, producing us as purified silver and gold. Isaiah 48:10(KJV) says, “Behold I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction”. God is a refiner and purifier of His people (see Malachi 3:3( KJV)).
How do we overcome or walk through affliction? Flowing from our detail review of sources of affliction are many ways we can overcome all forms of affliction. Irrespective of the sources or reasons for affliction we entirely rely on God and His promises to deliver us from them all, as expounded in Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all”. We can overcome or go through affliction by humbling ourselves before God and casting our cares upon Him. I Peter 5:6-7(KJV), “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for He cares for you”. We have an example of Manasseh whom God delivered when he humbled himself before God ((2 Chronicles 33:12(KJV) “And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,”.
We can overcome affliction by engaging the word of God. Psalm 119:92 (KJV), “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should have perished in mine affliction”. The word has the power to rejuvenate and quicken an individual out of the net of affliction. Psalm 119:50 (KJV), “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me”. We can go through or overcome affliction through patience and perseverance (see Hebrews 10:36). We must also acknowledge our sin and seek the face of God (see Hosea 5:15).
In the face of affliction, we must continue to renew our total confidence on God. Hannah overcame her affliction of barrenness by making a vow unto God (see 1 Samuel 1:11). There must be source for affliction, but no matter the source our God delivers from them all. Hallelujah!
Prayer Point: Oh LORD, deliver me from my afflictions in Jesus Name.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo