Things to Remember. . .Faithful Affliction

"Faithful Affliction"

   In times of great challenge, we do well to remember the perfect faithfulness of our Lord. "Thou in faithfulness hath afflicted me" declared the Psalmist of God's trustworthiness that may manifest itself in a far different manner than we sometimes expect (Psalm 119:75).

    When we consider our Lord as faithful, we most often ponder His provision, protection, and pleasant working on our behalf.  This is proper and accurate in most cases.  However, in those times wherein we require affliction for the varied reasons prescribed by Scripture, we could not deem God in terms of faithfulness if He kept us from challenges.  Trustworthiness involves trial, as determined or allowed by the One completely devoted to His trusting children in Christ.  The Comforter does not coddle.  As mentioned in the previous message, God's devotion demands that He act in accordance with our needs rather than our desires.  We know Him as faithful only because He acts accordingly, and we could not trust Him if He administered anything less than that which meets the needs of our particular condition and circumstance.  

    One aspect of fearing the Lord involves His faithful heart and way.  It is not an easy truth, but I try to remember it often, say it often, and write it often, namely, that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to hurt us if pain accomplishes His loving purposes.  "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6).  Morever, He loves us enough to allow others to hurt us for the same fulfillment of His faithful intentions on our behalf.  We do well to praise Him for such genuine commitment to our well being.  And in times of  trouble determined or allowed by our Father, we do well look through our tears to see the holy vision long ago beheld by the Apostle John…

"And I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True."

(Revelation 19:11)

Weekly Memory Verse

   I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.

(Psalm 77:3)