There’s an interesting journey described in the following verses from Psalm 119:
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
. . .
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
. . .
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
(Psalm 119:67, 71, 75)
The writer:
- Went astray
- God afflicted him.
- He learned God’s statutes
- He finally got serious about keeping God’s word.
- He came to realize that God afflicted him to his own good to get him back on track again.
Through whatever his affliction was, he got his head on straight and his life back in tune with God. But why did he have to go through the affliction? Why, for that matter, do we do the same?
Why do we hesitate? Why do we hold out instead of getting things square with God right away?
The key factors seem to be our pride, our fear of punishment, and our expectation of shame, exposure, and humiliation.
The irony is that when we finally push through those things, God doesn’t punish or afflict us even more. To our surprise he gladly receives us back and bathes us in his mercy, forgiveness, and blessing. Instead of punishment we get relief and restoration. The father’s acceptance of the Prodigal Son in Jesus’- beautiful parable perfectly captures this:
And he [the prodigal] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20–24
So what about you? Are you feeling the pain of God’s affliction as he waits for you to return into his loving embrace?