Day 724: Psalm 119: 65-88~ Good Affliction

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81 My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
 
Meditation
Pastor Octavius Delfis serves at Reformed Presbyterian Church in Haiti and is a ministry partner of our church. Visiting a few years ago he quoted this section of Psalm 119 in a talk to our young adult communities. Describing raising a family under a corrupt government, dealing daily with gangs and violence, and surviving and rebuilding after earthquakes, Pastor Delfuis emphasized, “I know, in faithfulness God has afflicted me” (75). God is faithful, even in affliction.
 
Good affliction is an oxymoron for most western Christians. For the Psalmist good affliction is part of God’s providence (65). Before the psalmist was afflicted, he went astray (68). After affliction he keeps God’s word and wants to learn more (69-70). Simply stated by the psalmist, “It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes” (71).
 
God is righteous and faithful in all He does, even in affliction. His steadfast love comforts (76) and His mercy gives life (77). Yes, the affliction includes questions and lament- “How long?” (84) and “When will you comfort me?” (82-84) being two. Enemies and suffering are real (85-86) but so are the faithfulness and promises of God. God’s steadfast love gives life and His afflictions reflect His faithfulness (88).
 
The Lord promises to deliver from affliction (Psalm 34:19-20)- Troubles are not the end of the story so we rejoice in suffering (1 Peter 1:6-7), knowing God is working our good and His glory. Nothing can separate us from God’s steadfast love (Romans 8:28-39). God is faithful and our afflictions are for our good.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Consider the afflictions of your life. Do you see them as good? Why or why not?
 
-Consider your past afflictions. Do you see how the Lord used them for your good and His glory? How did they drive you to God’s word?
 
-How does the unchanging faithfulness and steadfast love of God strengthen you in struggles?
 
Key Verse
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.