PURPOSE OF AFFLICTION – Part 2

 Topic: PURPOSE OF AFFLICTION – Part 2

MEMORIZE: “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.” Job 23:10-12.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 66:10-12

“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. 11 You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. 12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” 

EXPOSITION:

Yesterday, we studied the first purpose of affliction

2. PROBATIONAL

The thought is often expressed that afflictions are meant to test the character or faith of the sufferer. This idea is especially prominent in Job. God allowed the Satan to test the reality of Job's piety by over-whelming him with disease and misfortunes. Throughout the poem, Job maintains that he has stood the test - e.g. Job 23:10-12 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.”. Compare Deuteronomy 8:2,16 "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. v. 16. "who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-”, Psalms 66:10 “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.”; Psalms 17:3 “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”; Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”; Jeremiah 9:7 “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and try them; For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?”; Proverbs 17:3 “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.”.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, let me why I am passing through what I am passing through and teach me your way in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Chronicles 15-17.