Psalm 119:75 "I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me."
There are lessons we cannot learn in the light but which become obvious in the darkness. Adversity is a form of that darkness. It is the means our loving God employs to open our eyes to the reality of His goodness to us.
Afflictions are to our moral and spiritual life what periods of rest are to our bodily life. They stop the rush; they affirm that there is something more important than self-interest; they give opportunity for reviewing and rethinking. God tells us that His work of grace can be carried on through trials. To train children, parents use discipline involving correction. Faithful fathers and mothers must be chasteners.
God is committed even more than earthly parents to nurture in us a high moral and spiritual character through adversity. The psalmist shows great understanding of his God when he declares that in God's afflictive measures he sees His faithfulness. He notes that God's purposes are always for our good.
Our Savior Jesus Christ lived under the Father's deep chastening of suffering and death on our behalf. As His redeemed children we mature spiritually, using adversity for God's intended purpose in us.
PRAYER: Gracious God, help me to see Your purpose in my adversity. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 52 Psalms 57 Psalms 142 Luke 22:24-46
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