When Trouble and Affliction Come Upon Me
[Psalm 119:137-144]
What should we do when trouble and affliction come upon us?
In today's scripture, Psalm 119:143, the psalmist confesses: “Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.” The psalmist, when faced with trouble and affliction, made the Lord’s commandments his delight. How did he do that? From today’s passage, we can learn three key lessons that we can apply to our lives. Therefore, may we, like the psalmist, also make the Lord's commandments our joy, even in the midst of trouble and affliction.
First, when trouble and affliction come upon us, we must be honest.
Look at Psalm 119:137: “O Lord, you are righteous, and your judgments are upright.” In times of trouble and affliction, it is often easier to lie than to be honest. This is because, at that moment, it may seem that lying is a quicker way to escape the trouble or affliction. However, we must, like the psalmist, make honest judgments when we are faced with difficulties. We must not allow our judgment to be clouded. To do this, we must ensure that our character is clothed in God’s righteousness. Out of God’s righteousness, honesty must emerge. The Lord’s law is truth (v. 142). We must be shaped by this truth and live an honest life. We must never succumb to the false temptations that lead us to abandon honesty.
Second, when trouble and affliction come upon us, we must be faithful.
Look at Psalm 119:138: “The testimonies you have commanded are righteous and exceedingly faithful.” Being honest in times of affliction is not easy, but being faithful may be even harder. This is because, in trouble and affliction, faithfulness requires patience and endurance. However, the psalmist remained faithful, even though he was in affliction due to his enemies (v. 139). Despite his circumstances, he remained faithful to God’s Word. He did not forget the Lord’s commandments (v. 139). The reason the psalmist could remain faithful to God's Word was that he had tasted its “exceedingly faithful” nature (v. 138). In other words, through God’s Word, the psalmist not only knew God's faithfulness but also experienced it in his own life. That is why, in the affliction and trouble allowed in his life, he firmly trusted in God's faithfulness. We, too, must trust in God’s faithfulness like the psalmist. Especially in times of trouble and affliction, we must do so even more.
Finally, when affliction and distress come upon us, we must love.
Look at Psalm 119:140: "Your word is very pure; therefore, Your servant loves it." We must love God's very pure word. Why should we love God's word, which is so pure? The reason is that, just as gold is refined in a furnace to produce pure gold, through the afflictions and troubles of life, we ourselves are purified by God's very pure word. How amazing is the power of the Lord's word! In the midst of affliction and suffering, our faith and belief, our hearts and our character are refined through the word of God. For this reason, like the psalmist, we too must make God's commandments our delight, even in the midst of affliction and trouble.
In the afflictions and troubles that come upon our lives, we must be honest. We must faithfully keep the Lord's righteous and faithful word. And, we must love God's very pure word even more. By doing so, we can live (v. 144).
When affliction and distress come, I want to make God's word my joy even more.
Pastor James Kim's Sharing
(Pursuing honesty, faithfulness, and love)