"I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul." (Psalm 31:7)
One thing we can be sure of -- the longer we live, the more troubles we will face. "Man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward" (Job. 5:7). Troubles arise from the consequences of our own sin, from being the recipient of the sinful treatment of others, from the tremendous inner conflict that arises from our own sinfulness, and from living in a cosmos that has been impaired by sin.
Put quite simply, sin -- either directly or indirectly -- is behind all our troubles. Because we can never escape the sins of others, our own sin, or this fallen sinful cosmos, we must learn how to deal with our afflictions in a godly manner.
Jesus is our ultimate example in handling suffering. When he was afflicted by others, he did not respond with hate, but with love. He understood that the purpose of God involved His faithful suffering for the good of others.
God undeniably uses suffering to fashion us into Christ's image. Suffering -- especially suffering for doing good -- is one of God's best tools to produce godliness in us. Comfort and ease have only a limited ability to produce love for enemy and compassion for the hurting. Only when we have enemies are we able to learn to love them. Only when we've known hurting are we able to sympathize with others.
The beauty of our faith is this: God does not leave us alone in our suffering. Even though it may appear that he is absent, he is probably nowhere more present than in the midst of our troubles. The Psalmist put it this way:
As for me, I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before Your eyes." Nevertheless You did hear the voice of my supplications when I cried to You. (Psalm 31:22)
Do you know trouble today? Are you suffering because of your own sin, the sin of others, or simply from living in a fallen world? Jesus is well aware of these difficulties. Because he knows we are but flesh, he pities our sinful predicament. Because he has been on the receiving end of others' sinful treatment, he can relate to our hurts. Because he has known the sufferings and afflictions that arise from life in a sin-cursed world, he can sympathize with our weaknesses.
When no one else understands, Jesus does. When no one else seems to care, Jesus does. When everyone you meet and everything you do seems to break your heart and leave you gasping for air, Jesus knows: "You have known the affliction of my soul" (Psalm 31:7).
There is only one secure place to place your trust in times like this. And again, in this, Jesus is our great example: "Into Thy hand I commit my spirit" (Psalm 31:5). The greatest act of trust is to commit our entire self to God in times of trouble. And if nothing else, troubles teach us that this is the ONLY place that truly gives rest and peace.
© Richard J. Vincent, July 21, 2002
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