Why Affliction Is Good It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71 Recommended Reading Psalm 119:98-100 Josephs rise to power in Egypt was amazing in a land that looked down on nomadic Semite shepherds like himself (Genesis 43:32; 46:34). We know the theological reasons -- God promoted Joseph to power in Egypt to prepare a place for Jacobs family. But humanly speaking, why were the Egyptians so taken with Joseph? A clue may be in Psalm 119:98-100 where the psalmist says Gods Word made him wiser than [his] enemies; he had more understanding than all [his] teachers. And how did the psalmist gain such a commitment to Gods statutes? Through affliction (Psalm 119:71). Before Joseph was promoted to power in Egypt, he suffered in an Egyptian prison after being falsely accused (Genesis 39:20). Suffering and affliction accomplish one of two things. They either drive us to God and His Word or away from God. In Josephs case, his affliction drove him back to the truths he knew about God, resulting in him knowing God better and better -- something the Egyptians ultimately recognized as wisdom. If you are suffering today, dont let it drive you away from God. Reach out to Him and embrace His promises. Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise. Matthew Henry
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:40:29 +0000