When Afflictions are Just What We Need
“. . . No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” Psalm 84: 11b.
Psalm 84 is a joyful song of longing for God’s presence and celebrating the blessings of dwelling in His house. It highlights God as a sun and shield who protects and blesses the upright with every good thing.
To read the whole thing for some context, click here.
Why We Need Afflictions
In prayer one day, it dawned on me that when we are not walking uprightly, and therefore have good things withheld, this condition of unmet needs and unfulfilled desires tends directly to bring about uprightness in our walk so we can have those things that are presently withheld.
When we have good things withheld, it is a painful trial that tests our faith. And according to James 1: 2-4, it’s these very trials that ultimately make us whole and complete. This is another way of saying upright.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”.
Always Cause to Rejoice
We are lacking in character. We are not yet upright in our walk. We therefore have good things withheld. This trial tests our faith and ultimately makes us whole and complete (upright)- if we pass the test. We can then have the good things that were previously withheld because of lack of character.
Here is the progression: Lack character (not upright)> Good things withheld> Trial that tests our faith> No good thing withheld.
So, either way, we have cause to rejoice. If we’re upright, we can rejoice because we have no good thing withheld. And if we’re not upright, and therefore lack good things, we can rejoice because that condition of lack will work uprightness in us, if we let it.
And this will lead to those good things we long for. I know there are some who say this is prosperity teaching. But please don’t shoot the messenger. This is what the Bible teaches. I’m not making it up. And it’s not out of context; you can read the passage for yourself above.
To read another post related to When Afflictions Are Just What We Need, see Your Enemies: How God Uses them to Bless You.