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In Faithfulness You Have Afflicted Me

I love Psalms 119. The power of its simple truth continues to draw me in. This chapter is the longest in the book of Psalms. It assumes an acrostic pattern, divided into 22 parts according to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a "Hallel" or prayer of praise psalm setting forth the excellency of God's word, which is the theme of the chapter. Recently, while reading through it, verse 75 stood out to me,
"I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness, you have afflicted me."

What? I stopped, Did I read that correctly? "In faithfulness, you have afflicted me." Affliction, faithful? Affliction, as in pain, suffering, grief, and sorrow? These are faithful things from God? I dug deeper.

I began by going back to verse 73, which begins a new section of the alphabet. This verse forms a foundation for verse 75 as it emphasizes God's sovereignty. It describes Him as a supreme Father who created us. Stating God as creator recognizes four things. First, it exposes the human need of Him as the One who gives life. Second, it positions one's heart in a state of respect as we acknowledge He is greater than we are. Third, as our designer, He knows what is best for us, His handiwork. Fourth and finally, because our being is connected to a holy and heavenly realm, our end will inevitably be led to this realm. Basically, this verse creates an awareness of our depth of need for Him and His unfathomable ways which extend beyond our reality.

Verse 74 then sets the scene by depicting why afflictions matter. It showcases how other believers are encouraged by the personal testimony of afflictions. The psalmist describes how others rejoice because he has placed his hope in God's word. Therefore, a believer's testimony brings life and comfort to other believers. A testimony is especially impactful when it is one which demonstrates a faith which carries a person through troubles and renders them victorious over temptations, one which demonstrates a hope in God's word that does not disappoint. Obedience in hardship produces hope, not only for the individual facing hardship but also for witnesses.

Verse 75 follows, and the psalmist first acknowledges God's righteous laws. A righteous judgment is connoted in "your laws are righteous." Essentially, the psalmist expresses complete trust in God's word and affirms His holiness.
"In faithfulness" Faithfulness signifies a steadfastness, a sincere intention of doing good. God is faithful to His holiness. That is, He cannot be anything but a perfect God, and in His just nature, He disciplines as a Father, as formerly mentioned in verse 73. God disciplines because of His love for us (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6), "It was the faithfulness of God to His covenant which brought the chosen one under the rod" (Spurgeon). God does not leave us in the wretchedness of our sin, but He mercifully disciplines us, "God loves you far too much to just let you get by" (Smith).

"You have afflicted me" Afflicted signifies being weakened, humbled, oppressed, chastised, or corrected. Here, it is an indication of God's care, "not as if it were consistent with his love, but as the very fruit of his love." (Bridges). Understanding God's love through this lens provides a proper perspective when faced with trials. In seasons of suffering, it is not only helpful but right to acknowledge God's work, praising His mighty name amidst the sudden storms. This does not mean that we ignore our hardship or numb our feelings. No, it means we embrace them with the fierceness of a determined hope in our God. It means we look to the examples of those who clung to and proclaimed the sovereignty of God amidst affliction. Affliction is the story of Job. A man who faced the reality of hardship and horror, devastation and destruction, yet never lost sight of the God who remained present (Job 1:21). Affliction is the story of Eli whose eyes were weak with age, but whose faith was stronger than life (1 Samuel 3:18). Affliction is the story of David whose life was threatened yet He trusted the commands of the Lord (2 Samuel 16:11). Affliction is the story of the Shunammite mother who lost her son and yet proclaimed "everything is all right" (2 Kings 4:26). Affliction is Paul imprisoned for spreading the gospel, yet singing in his shackles (Acts 16:25, Philippians 1:12-14). Affliction is a reason to give thanks (James 1:2-4).

Verse 75 took me so off guard because I approached the text from a selfish perspective. I read the psalm with the assumption it described something about me when, in fact, it speaks to the power of God. This verse shows God's nature, He cannot help but to permit afflictions in the faithfulness of His character. I was afraid reading this. With horror, I asked what afflictions will I have to face? Meanwhile, the psalmist expressed a sure confidence in God's love from a proper perspective of afflictions. I needed the psalmist perspective to understand what Barrow so eloquently explains, "The advantages arising from afflictions are so many, and so great, that it were easy to demonstrate that we have great reason, not only to be contented with, but to rejoice in, and to be very thankful for, all the crosses and vexations we meet with; to receive them cheerfully at God's hand, as the medicines of our soul, and the condiments of our fortune; as the arguments of his goodwill, and the instruments of virtue; as solid grounds of hope, and comfortable presages of future joy unto us." Psalms 119:75 speaks of the supremacy of God's character and the infiniteness of His love. The psalmist is able to rejoice in his affliction because he is sustained by the hope of God's promises. By remaining close to God's word, he stays close to God's truth, saturating his mind with the strength of God's love. May I be as the psalmist, resting with the assurance of God's faithfulness.

Yet, Lord, in memory's fondest place
I shrine those seasons sad,
When, looking up, I saw thy face
In-kind austereness clad.

I would not miss one sigh or tear,
Heart pang, or throbbing brow:
Sweet was the chastisement severe,
And sweet its memory now.

Yes! let the fragrant scars abide,
Love tokens in thy stead,
Faint shadows of the spear pierced side.
And thorn encompassed Head.

And such thy tender force be still,
When self would swerve or stray,
Shaping to truth the froward will
Along thy narrow way.
—John Henry Newman, 1829.

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