## Affliction and the Word

## Psalm 119:153-160

In our last section we saw how the psalmist cried out to God for personal revival. That theme continues in this section, with the addition of the problem of affliction. How do we handle affliction when it comes? What are the first thoughts to enter our minds? Usually, we just want it to be over. We cry out for deliverance.

Tonight's section of this psalm shows us the heart of the psalmist as he pleads with God for deliverance, revival and strengthening. Earlier in the psalm he has spoken concerning his affliction.

(Psa 119:67) "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."

(Psa 119:71) "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

(Psa 119:75) "I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me."

Now he says, "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me…"

I. What Affliction Did For Him.

A. It made him more thoughtful in prayer. v153-154

1. He invites God's inspection.

a. He draws attention to a very important truth.

b. Not all affliction is punishment.

c. Sickness does not mean sinfulness.

d. He invites the Lord to consider his situation.

e. He writes, "…for I do not forget thy law."

2. He invites God's intervention.

a. He says, "Plead my cause…"

b. Although the psalmist did not have as clear an understanding of this truth as we do today…he still appealed to God for a hearing.

c. We know we have an advocate with the Father.

(1 Tim 2:5) "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

(1 John 2:1) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

d. He remembers the Word and remembers the promises of deliverance.

(Psa 37:40) "And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."

B. It made him more thankful in prayer. v155

1. Again we see the contrast drawn between the wicked and the righteous.

2. The lost have no advocate…they have no one to 'plead their cause'.

3. Salvation is far from them…there are times when salvation is near, when the Holy Spirit is at work.

4. God warns us to call while He is near.

(Isa 55:6) "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"

5. The lost have little regard for the Word of God, and often show contempt toward It and toward those who embrace It.

C. It gave him boldness in prayer. v156

(Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

1. On the basis of the promises of Scripture, we can come boldly before God and seek His mercy and grace.

2. This is not to say we can command God to act or to comply with what we say, that would be foolish.

3. But God will be true to His Word and we can boldly come before Him and seek that which He has promised.

II. What Declarations He Made to God. v157-160

A. He declares his distress over the neglect of God's Word. v157-158

1. He grieved over the fact that others do not keep God's Word.

2. 'Grieve' is a very personal and strongly emotional word.

a. We usually do not grieve over those we do not love.

b. However, we are grieved when someone we love turns against us, betrays us, or breaks our hearts.

3. The psalmist was grieved over the Spiritual condition of those whom he loved.

4. He wasn't just pointing his finger at others, he was genuinely concerned for them.

5. Why? 'Because they kept not thy word'.

B. He declares his devotion to God's Word. v157b; 159

1. As opposition increased, so did his devotion to the Word of God.

2. He invites the Lord again to consider him.

3. This time he asks that the Lord consider his love for God's Word.

4. Would we be willing to invite the Lord to look at our lives and our devotion to His Word?

5. '…Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness'

C. He declares his confidence in the Word. v160

1. Note the statement made here is interesting.

2. Not only does he declare that God's Word is true…

3. He states that it has always been true (from the beginning) and that it will always be true (endureth forever).

4. This is significant…

a. Many may accept the Bible as truth for the time it was written.

b. But they say it is outdated…it is not relevant to our lives today.

c. However, I choose to believe as the psalmist, that God's Word has always been true and will always remain so.

5. That means that instead of us trying to change God's Word to make it more palatable to our taste.

6. We need to change our lives and bring them into conformance with the Bible!

Affliction brought the psalmist to focus on his relationship with God, and His Word. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he realized how blessed he was to know God and to rest upon His promises.

What about us tonight? Where are we at in our relationship with our Lord? Do the trials and tribulations move us away from our faith, or do they reaffirm where we stand?