Psalm 34:19 - God's Good Often Comes Through Affliction - part 2 - Character Development.
Psa 34:19; God's Good Often Comes Through Affliction - part 2 -
Character Development.
Psa 34:19 (KJV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but
the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19 (NLT) The righteous face many troubles, but the
LORD rescues them from each and every one.
Psa 34:19 (TLB) The good man does not escape all troubles--he
has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.
CONTEXT
The Lord, a Provider and Deliverer.
Praise for Deliverance from Trouble
Experimental Religion: God is Good
David expressed praise for deliverance (Ps. 34), [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
Psalm 34: God's Unfailing Love. We are to praise God at all
times, for in many ways we continually experience the unfailing love of
our God. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Some of the psalms praise God for His glory in creation. This
one praises Him because of the meaning of relationship with Him. He
delivers, not merely from things feared but from fear itself, removing
shame. He protects and provides. Above all, He is attentive and answers
the prayer of the righteous. [Disciple SB]
CROSS REFERENCES
Acts 14:22 (KJV) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and
exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:6 (NLT) So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy
ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a
while.
2 Tim. 3:12 (KJV) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution.
1 Thes. 3:3. 4 (KJV) That no man should be moved by these
afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily,
when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Hebrews 11:33-38 (GWT) Women received their loved ones back
from the dead. Other believers were brutally tortured but refused to
be released so that they might gain eternal life. Some were made
fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison. Some
were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. Some
wore the skins of sheep and goats. Some were poor, abused, and
mistreated. The world didn't deserve these good people. Some wandered around
in deserts and mountains and lived in caves and holes in the
ground.
2 Cor 1:8, 9 (NCV) Brothers and sisters, we want you to know
about the trouble we suffered in Asia. We had great burdens there that
were beyond our own strength. We even gave up hope of living. Truly,
in our own hearts we believed we would die. But this happened so we
would not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises people from the
dead.
Malachi 3:2, 3 (KJV) But who may abide the day of his coming?
and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's
fire, and like fullers' sope: And he shall sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them
as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering
in righteousness.
1 Peter 4:12, 13 (KJV) Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.
2 Cor. 4:11 (KJV) For we which live are alway delivered unto
death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our mortal flesh.
John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2 Cor. 4:17 (KJV) For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Psalm 71:20 (NLT) You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths
of the earth.
Rev. 7:17 (KJV) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of
waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION RE AFFLICTIONS AND CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT.
"The Cocoon"
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly and one day a small opening
appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it
struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to
stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as
it could and it could go no farther. The man decided to help the
butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining tip
of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a
swollen body and small shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the
butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge
and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in
time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its
life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It
never was able to fly. What the man in his kindness and haste did not
understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for
the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of
forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it
would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the
cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God
allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would
cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we
could never fly. brenda.jean.williams@us.pwcglobal.com
It's In The Valleys I Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.
******
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
******
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.
******
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
******
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
******
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.
******
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
******
Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!
(by Jane Eggleston)
http://www.grnco.net/~cbm/thought.htm
Does God help us out of all our troubles? Not exactly; as life's
sorrows and heartaches easily demonstrate. But the Lord does not promise
so much to remove our difficulties as to see us through them. God
can use even trouble to accomplish his purposes; Jesus was made
perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10). With God's help, troubles can
mature us. The bottom line is that God changes something--if it's not
our troubles, then he changes us. [Quest SB]
Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is
not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in
the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was
with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am,
and conquest must maintain me." So, under God, dear brother in the
Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain
you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior." He only is a true conqueror,
and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet
is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our
spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for
a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and
settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will
seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is
weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be
mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this
constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your
perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder
you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and
that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering,
he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your
steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest;
sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do."
Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to
these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal;
they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times." Wear
your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry
mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end. [Morning
and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon re Acts 14:22]
In our society older saints often feel they are not doing their
part. They can't help with the children; their bodies won't cooperate
to do certain physically hard work; they have difficultly hearing
or seeing; they feel like they can't contribute anymore. This idea
must be eradicated! If you are someone like this, or know someone
like this, consider Anna who was very old (Luke 2:36,37). She spent
her time worshiping, fasting and praying. Praying. And she was
shown the Savior, in answer to her prayers! Older saints today need to
be encouraged to pray and not be permitted to think they are second
class servants! Younger ones are not able to pray like Anna. God has
ordained His power be bent to earth to do His will, THROUGH PRAYER.
Encourage older saints in this manner. They are literally on the front
lines, bringing God's power to bear on the things of the earth. No one
else can render this service; encourage them! [In His Time; Walk With
Wisdom]
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