ENDURANCE OF AFFLICTION

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

MONDAY, 15TH MAY, 2023.

TOPIC: ENDURANCE OF AFFLICTION

MEMORIZE: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

SCRIPTURE READING: Job 19:25-27,

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

EXPOSITION: 

The Scriptures abound in words of consolation and exhortation adapted to encourage the afflicted. Two main considerations may be mentioned. 

(1) The thought of the beneficent sovereignty of God "Yahweh reigneth; let the earth rejoice," even though "clouds and darkness are round about him" (“The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalms 97:1, 2 ); "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28 the King James Version). Since love is on the throne of the universe, we may rest assured that all things are meant for our good. 

 (2) The thought that tribulation is of brief duration, in comparison with the Joy that shall follow (“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5; “"For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you.” Isaiah 54:7; “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:22 ); a thought which culminates in the hope of immortality. This hope is in the Old Testament only beginning to dawn, and gives but a faint and flickering light, except in moments of rare exaltation and insight, when the thought of a perfect future blessedness seemed to offer a solution of the enigmas of life (“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27; Psalms 37; 49; 73). But in the New Testament it is a postulate of faith, and by it the Christian is able to fortify himself in affliction, remembering that his affliction is light and momentary compared with the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" which is to issue out of it (“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” 2 Corinthians 4:17 the King James Version; compare Matthew 5:12; Romans 8:18 ). 

Akin to this is the comfort derived from the thought of the near approach of Christ's second coming (James 5:7-8 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”). In view of such truths as these, the Bible encourages the pious in trouble to show the spirit of patience (“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” Psalms 37:7; 

“By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19; 

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” Romans 12:12; 

“knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:3-4; James 5:7-11; 1 Peter 2:20 ), and even the spirit of positive joy in tribulation (“"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” Matthew 5:11; “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;” Romans 5:3; (Also read 2 Corinthians 12:10; James 1:2 , James 1:12; 1 Peter 4:13 ). In the New Testament emphasis is laid on the example of Jesus in patient endurance in suffering (“"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."” John 16:33;

“For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17; 

Also read James 5:7-11; 1 Peter 2:19-23). 

Above all, the Scriptures recommend the afflicted to take refuge in the supreme blessedness of fellowship with God, and of trust in His love, by which they may enter into a deep peace that is undisturbed by the trials and problems of life (Psalm 73:23-28 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.” 

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

John 14:1, 27 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”, 

Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”).

PRAYER POINT: Lord, let your peace that surpasses all understanding guard my heart and mind through our Lord Jesus Christ in Jesus name. 

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Job 4-6.