Most of us have no problem remembering the difficult times in our lives; we have all faced our share of them. These memories have the ability to involuntarily present as flashbacks in our thoughts. Certain internal or external images can stimulate and trigger responses. The human journey of life is strewn with challenges, but with a proper perspective each experience carries an opportunity to taste the nature and character of God and the invitation to see the divine Light of heaven working to rescue the people of the earth.
In our passage today from the prophet Jeremiah, three amazing realities about God’s faithful, loving, and merciful nature [in the midst of challenges] stand out like a beacon of Truth. This man of God has witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem through the invasion of the Babylonian army. He weeps for his city and the people; he exhorts them to live with faith in the Lord. Whether we are talking about afflictions that happened twenty-six centuries ago or in our present day, there will be afflictions that call for a faith response. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). Humanity will suffer in a fallen world, but God never changes and he is always present to be a Source of salvation—taking us from affliction to Hope.
There are many causes for affliction, so we will address just a few: 1) God uses afflictions to test our faith, so suffering can have a divine purpose; 2) Affliction and persecution of believers is a part of living in a fallen world; a world that tries to enforce control and conformity to societal norms; 3) Satan uses affliction to turn God’s people from faith to evil’s domain of fear and torment; and 4) Affliction is always a consequence of sin, disobedience, and lawlessness.
Once we understand the purpose of affliction, we can identify the proper response. Maybe God is disciplining us or purifying us by his Word, so we must pray for God’s strength to endure. Sometimes, God’s stirs us for spiritual growth, so we trust God to use these challenges to make us more like himself. Many times, God is drawing our attention toward a greater measure of dependence upon the Lord, so we will reach out and pray for help and deliverance. Lastly, God uses temporary suffering to prepare us for heaven.
Lamentations 3:19-26 NLT
19
The thought of my suffering and homelessness
is bitter beyond words [suffering/deep sorrow].
20
I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21
Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
25
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
26
So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, we face many afflictions in this fallen world. Sometimes we face physical illness, a temptation to sin, spiritual attacks, and even your discipline, Lord, that causes pain. But, you are always looking to deliver us and help us open ourselves up to receive You as our priceless inheritance; our faithful Refuge. So we pray, wait patiently, and look with the eyes of faith for you to move in the Way that is best for us. You are Good. You are our Hope and we rest in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.