As you have seen in the bulletin, the topic of discussion today will be afflictions. The Scriptures tell us many are the afflictions of the righteous. I want to give a definition of afflictions and some synonyms just so we can get... The Bible says a lot about afflictions, but sometimes they use different words for afflictions. Is the state of being afflicted a state of pain, distress or grief or sorrow? The second is the cause of continued pain of body or mind as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, persecution. And this comes from the Webster's Dictionary, 1828. And the synonyms are adversity, sorrow, calamity, cross, distress, ruin, trial, tribulation. So throughout the Bible, affliction is from Genesis to Revelation. And all saints in all times suffer from affliction or go through affliction. We sang of some of the songs there of affliction and sorrow and suffering. We know that Christ was our example in all things, and we are called in Ephesians 5, 1 I believe it is, to follow Christ. And that word follow is imitate. And we can't do these things perfectly, but we certainly can strive to follow Christ in His sufferings when we are suffering. And one of the ways that we can do that is looking unto Jesus. In Ephesians, Hebrews 12 says, looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endeared the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endeared such contradiction of sinners. lest ye be wearied in your minds and faint. For we have not resisted the shedding of blood." So our afflictions, as Paul says, and I hope I get to my notes in a few minutes here, our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, are working for us a far more and exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. And so the Scriptures help us to have an eternal perspective, as Jesus did. He looked over the sufferings. He looked unto the glory. He looked unto what was coming. So He went through this, being the God-man in His man. He suffered manhood. He suffered. And he went through it with joy because he knew the end. He knew the eternal purpose of God, him being God, and him playing the big part of it in salvation of sinners. So let me start by asking a question here. This is a serious question. Can we trust God? How do we know we can trust God? We cannot trust someone we don't know. We know about that. We cannot trust people we don't know because we don't know them. But we don't know about them. We don't know if they care for us or if they have the right motives in mind. Whether you go to a mechanic or a salesman, we can't trust them in some sense. But we have to in some ways. But with God, we do know him. We can trust God because we know him who is true. And it is not an intellectual knowledge that gives us this trust. It is an intimate knowing, and we know him who is true. Our trust in God grows as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we study the word, meditate upon the word, as we share the word, as we seek his face, as we are obedient to his word, We become more and more sanctified. As we become more and more sanctified, we become conformed into his image. We start to thank God's thoughts after him. We have something going on. Well, what does God say? The Holy Spirit points us to the scriptures and even gives us remembrance of the scriptures when we need them in a time of need. One of the best books I've read on trusting God was by Jerry Bridges, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. He goes through here and it's just amazing how he does the chapters and three questions he asks, and I believe I got it in my notes, but three questions that Mr. Bridges asks in here, is he says in the arena of adversity, the scriptures teach us three essential truths about God. They're not actually questions, they're statements. These truths must be believed if we are to trust him in adversity, affliction, suffering, pain, all the things that are affiliated with it. The one is God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. And we know these things. But to meditate upon the scriptures is to have them in mind as we hide God's word in our heart. And the context is that we might not sin against him, but we hide God's word in our heart for a day of need. And the Holy Spirit brings it to our remembrance. In the Old Testament it says, you will hear a voice behind you saying, walk in this way. We in the New Testament have the Holy Spirit within us saying, walk this way. And it gives us remembrance of the things that we need in a time of need. Even in witnessing, the Holy Spirit gives us the scriptures that we need to speak to certain people in need. One more thing that I would like to quote out of this book In the chapter of trusting God, God's power over nature, one of them is physical afflictions. Most of us suffer from physical afflictions from one way or another, and all of us suffer from mental afflictions almost every day, whether they be small, minor, large, all the time. So let me go through this just to get our minds in control here of what we're saying. Illness and physical affliction is another area in which we struggle to trust God. Babies are born with major birth defects. Cancer strikes people who have apparently done everything possible to guard against it. Others experience continuous pain for years without any medical relief. Even those who are normally healthy and strong often experience sickness at the most important times. A lot of our missionaries through the years have died young. And we would ask, why would God take them so young? They were doing so much. And again, we point to the scriptures. What does God say in things that we can't understand when we're going through things that we can't understand? Why? And Deuteronomy, I believe it's 29-29, says that the secret things belong to the Lord our God. But those things that are revealed belong to us and to our children, that we may do all that is written therein. And at that time they had the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible. But we have the whole counsel of God, we have all the word of God to look to. So how much more are we able to look to those things that are revealed for comfort? The Puritans used to say about God's will, they say He has a revealed will in the scriptures, and He has a secret will. Those things that happen that we don't quite understand throughout the day and as the day our life unfolds, we look back and we just don't understand why that happened. Well, because God is sovereign in every area of the world, our lives. If he's not sovereign in one area, he's not sovereign at all. So that is the major, major thing to believe as our brother shared with us here when we're going through times of affliction. God is completely sovereign. He is infinite in wisdom and he is perfect in love. Is God sovereign over this aspect of nature? Is he in control of the disease and physical infirmities that affect us? When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses protested his inadequacy, including the fact that he was slow of speech. God replied to Moses very instructive to us, the way he replied to Moses is very instructive to us in this area of physical affliction. For God said, Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight and makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Remember the man in John chapter 9 verses 1 through 3 talk about who sinned, this man or his father or his parents. We'll probably get there. Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but it was for the glory of God might be revealed and healing him. So that's just one instance that sometimes we suffer or others are suffering and it's not because of their sin. Although a lot of times we do suffer because of our sin. As Thomas Watson said, the worst thing God does to his children is spank them all the way to heaven. So back to my notes. And again, this is an excellent book for anybody wanting to read this. Whether you're in affliction now, you will be one day, or you can read it or hand it to a friend or a family member. We got them on the bookshelf in the classroom. Now, affliction is something that we all go through. And even now, some of you are going through. And we all will continue through in this life. Affliction. I have a quote by Richard Sibbes in his book called The Soul's Conflict. He said, we need not go further than ourselves for to find discouragement. For there is a seminary of them within us. He said there are conflicts within and conflicts without. And in this study, I say that there are afflictions within and afflictions without. There are the afflictions of the mind. Sometimes we torment ourselves. As someone has said long ago, we've met the enemy and the enemy is us. So what do we do at times like this? Again, we look to the scriptures. What does God say? How does the Holy Spirit help us in this way? Well, we know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, to the Word of God. So there's a help there. Now we have afflictions within, afflictions without. Please turn with me in your Bibles to Acts 14.22. Acts 14.22. Excuse me. In the context of the scripture, he's speaking of persecution as an affliction, but the application is broad. Acts 14.22. I went to John, excuse me. Let's start at 21. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra in Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Excuse me. I'd like to say there are some who are suffering in some way, and sometimes they would believe that they are in the kingdom because they are being persecuted in some way. And they're going through afflictions and they would say, well, it's because I'm a Christian that doing this to me. And we know that there's a broad spectrum of Christianity, Christendom, of people who are not really Christians that believe that they are. And I heard a preacher say in this particular way, he said, through many tribulations, they enter the kingdom of hell. So Christians aren't the only ones who suffer persecution and afflictions, but our afflictions are for the glory of God, and God works it together for our good. Another book that I read on this issue, and it's one of the best books by Thomas Watson, I believe, and we used to have it on the bookshelf back there, it's called All Things Work for Good. And it's an exposition of Romans 8 28 and he goes through there and in that book is small chapters and he teaches that the worst things work together for good afflictions of persecutions and also all good things work together for good so it's an excellent little book and in Thomas Watson said in that particular book he said afflictions are How did he say that? I'm sorry. Afflictions are not everlasting. They're in this life, but they're not everlasting. So in one sense, we know that as Jesus went through the afflictions and the torments and the sufferings, he did it for the hope that was set before him. So we too have a hope that is set before us. We have a heavenly home that we will enter where there will be no more pain. Okay, in that particular verse there, 22, the last part of the verse where it talks about afflictions, it says, through many tribulations in the New King James. And that word tribulation is a pressing, pressing together. We could say as they press the grapes, the press, press the fluid out of the grapes, it caused the juice to come forth. And so as persecution, tribulation, afflictions, there are things that press us. And as God works those things together for our good, they cause us to be more conformed into the image of Christ. It's part of our sanctification is to be afflicted. Because it causes us, God sometimes puts us in a place where all we can do is look up. It causes us to pray. It causes us to draw near to God. It humbles us. So afflictions are good for us. Although when we're under them, it doesn't seem that way. And it's easy for me to say now, but hopefully you'll be able to help me when I am. Before we continue, let us let us establish a few facts and let me start by a quote by an unknown author. And again, I'm seeking to not only exalt God in giving afflictions for a purpose, for our good, but also the scriptures, I want to exalt them as God's word that is our great help. And in this quote, the author is unknown, but perhaps you'll find it helpful. It says the mind of God, the word of God contains the mind of God. the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. For it contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Heaven is opened, gates of hell disclosed, Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forevermore. It involves the highest responsibility and will reward the greatest laborer and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents." quote right there is so helpful in so many ways, and each line upon line is filled with Scripture. It turns us to God's Word. So we know that we can trust God because we know Him. And also, knowing that He is sovereign over all increases our trust in Him. Isaiah 46.9 and 10. Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is none else. I am God and there is none like me. A.W. Tozer once asked the question, he says, what is God like? God is not like anything, he is holy of himself. He told Moses, I am has sent you. declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. God has an eternal purpose and he is orchestrating every event of our lives, every event of every life, every event of every creature, bird, sky, clouds, everything. God is sovereign over everything. And that's a comforting thing to know in a time of affliction. Ephesians 1.11, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. Immediately after we became saved, God has given us the faith to believe in Christ and to trust in Christ. And again, as we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we become more fully trusting. And that's the purpose of meditating, memorizing, reading, sharing the scriptures, and obeying the scriptures. That's one way we grow, and we grow in trust. So we must be wise. And when we speak of sovereignty of God and quoting Romans 8, 28 to somebody who just went through a heavy affliction or is going through, we got to be wise. We got to show wisdom when speaking about the sovereignty of God, especially when somebody is afflicted with cancer or a loss of a loved one or severe afflictions, other severe afflictions. Because this doctrine is to be cherished, meditated upon, and hidden in our heart for days of adversity. And yes, to teach and to counsel others in need. Now Spurgeon had said, we can help if a friend is in need. We can help if we are near. If a friend is in need, we can help if we are near. Others may need a word of comfort, others just a listening ear. So sometimes we don't have to have all the answers when somebody is in affliction and comes to us or a friend or a family member or seeking to comfort. Sometimes it's good just to be there and pray. Jerry Bridges in his book, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts, he says, In the area of adversity, the scriptures teach us three truths, and I quoted this part, but then there's a second part to it. The scriptures teach us three essential truths about God. Truths we must believe if we are to trust him in adversity. They are God is absolutely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. Someone has expressed it this way. God and his love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom, He knows what is best. And in His sovereignty, He has the power to bring it about. Turn with me to Lamentations chapter 3. Lamentations chapter 3. Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet. Excuse me. There it is. Lamentations chapter three. We'll start at verse thirty one. The Lord will not cast off forever, though he causes grief, yet he will show compassion. according to the multitude of his mercies, for he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." And again, I'm reading from the New King James. Now, this is Judah's judgment. Judah's in judgment for their sins. God has brought this judgment upon them. And He is pressing them to repentance. In verse 37, he says, Who is he who speaks it and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed? Why should any living man complain? Amen for the punishment of his sins. Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord. So we see all through history when God pressed his people, when he afflicted them with judgment, it was always for the purpose of causing them to repent and turn to him. And so it is with affliction. It should cause us to repent, examine ourselves, examine our ways, cry out to the Lord, even if we don't know that we had sinned. In this life, we see through a glass darkly. but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then we shall know even as also we are known when we get to heaven. But this blindness is still over our eyes. We cannot see things as clearly as we think we can. We cannot see ourselves as clearly as we think we can. Others may see things we don't. So that is one of the purposes for gathering with the brethren, for fellowship in the gospel, for coming and gathering ourselves together. not only for the encouragement of others, for the comforting of others, and the exhorting others, and hearing the preaching and teaching of the Word, but it's also so that others may see things that we don't. We need each other in that way also. Now, if we had time, we could do a series on this topic and start from Genesis to Revelation. Because affliction, the more that I studied it, the more that I went through it, it's all over the Bible. It is. All saints of old have suffered from affliction. Now Enoch, I'm not sure. Enoch was, he walked with the Lord and then he was no more. It doesn't say that he suffered anything. But maybe as he was being pulled to heaven, he sort of, you know, hey, had a little affliction in his mind. What's going on? I don't know. Yes, every saint suffers affliction of some kind. Just to mention a few. Adam and Eve. Think of the afflictions that they had. Because of their sin, they were afflicted by God's judgment. And we are afflicted because of their sin. Turn with me to Romans 8.18, please. Romans 8.18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Again, we look past the sufferings unto Christ, looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endeared the cross, despising its shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him. So, verse 19. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation itself was subjected to fertility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope, hope of a new creation. Because of the creation itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption and to the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. You see a three-legged dog hopping down the road. It's because of the main sin of Adam and Eve and the judgment of God, all creation suffers. All creation is afflicted in some way. And we experience that and are able to reason with that. And those of us who are righteous, many are the afflictions of the righteous, are able to get through it with the help of God, the help of the Holy Spirit, enabling us, enabling grace. So there is hope and comfort in the scripture, looking to the resurrection. Looking to the new home in heaven. Excuse me. This refers to the whole creation, as I said, to all living beings, to the state of all created things here, as in a condition of pain and disorder and groaning and death. Everything which we see, every creature which lives, is subjected to a state of disorder, pain, vanity, and death. Afflictions are God's design. All afflictions. But while we are here in Romans, have you heard of comfort food? Ice cream or pie? You know, wife or some ladies like the comfort food. Well, we have the comfort scriptures. And one of them is Romans 8.28. It says, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. And we could read this as this way. We could read it that, and we know that God causes all things to work together for good because he is the cause of it all. He is the one that sent it. He knows the time of it, and he is the one that can relieve us from it. And one day he will. Thomas Watson in his most excellent book, as I've mentioned earlier, All Things for Good, in chapter 2, he says the worst things work together for good to the godly. He says afflictions work for good as they conform us to the image of Christ. He says God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more lively upon us. God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more lively upon us. End quote. Afflictions work for good because they are destructive to sin. Was another one by Thomas Watson. Afflictions work together for good because they are destructive to sin. They're also destructive to our flesh. We're called to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. Afflictions help to do that. In Genesis 50, verse 20, can you turn there with me, please? Now, who else? We also know the story of Joseph. He suffered great afflictions, and none of it was for his sin. I'm telling you to turn there, and I ain't even got there. I'm sorry. Genesis 50. I believe it was Spurgeon that, in his book on the providence of God, talked about Joseph's life and he used every event that God had decreed in Joseph's life. Every step, every word, everything in Joseph's life was decreed by God. And Spurgeon did a great job. It's a little booklet called The Providence of God. Years ago I read it and I still remember it. Okay, let's start in verse 19. Joseph said to them, now his brothers come to him and they're thinking that because he knows what happened, that Joseph's going to be mad, he's going to do something to them. And Joseph said to them, do not be afraid, for I am in the place of God. But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring about, as it is this day, to save many people. Now Joseph was a type of Christ. He was a shepherd of his father's sheep. His father loved him dearly. He was hated by his brothers, sent by father to his brothers. Others plotted harm against him, robes taken from him, taken to Egypt. He was sold for the price of a slave. He was tempted, falsely accused, bound in chains, and the list goes on. He was a type of Christ in that way. And he suffered greatly for things he didn't do as our Lord Jesus Christ. But God meant it for good. Again, as Joseph was 17, his father told him, he said, go check on your brothers. They're tending the flocks. So Joseph at 17 takes off and it's like 50 miles to Dothan. He gets there. And it was, no, it was Shechem. And he went to Shechem and then he sees a man wandering in the field. The man says, who are you looking for? I'm looking for my brothers. They're tending the flocks. And the guy says, well, I heard them say they're going to Dothan. So another 15 miles, I think it's northeast, another 15 miles, Joseph walks and he finds his brothers and they say, here comes that dreamer. So they're hating on him. And then they plot to throw him in the pit. They kill an animal and put blood on his coat of many colors. They send it back to his dad, say that he died. Reuben, I think, is one that pulls him, gets him out of the pit, say, hey, let's get something for our money, for our trouble. Right then, as all this is happening, they're on the merchant trail going to Egypt. So they sell him to the merchants. And y'all know the story. He goes in there and he's sold and Potiphar buys him. He sees that he's gifted by God as he was in prison, as he will be in prison, as I was in prison. But I had favor with the authorities. I really connected with Joseph's life in some ways. So he's sold and Potiphar's wife accuses him, falsely accuses him. He's thrown into prison and he's blessed there. God blesses him. He interprets the dreams. And the cupbearer is restored to his rightful position. And the baker is beheaded, just like Joseph said in the dreams. And the cupbearer forgets about him. But God has all this time, everything is in line in God's design, just as it is in our lives. Everything that happens to us is by God's design, and it's for a purpose. So as the story goes on, you know that, well, since you know all these things, he interprets the Pharaoh's dreams and he puts them in the place of Pharaoh, just under Pharaoh. Then his family comes, and there we are in Genesis 50, where the ending of his life is. But then there's 400 years, as God told Abraham. 400 years, the people will be afflicted, those people that will be blessed by you. Well, yeah, after Joseph went, a pharaoh came in, who knew not Joseph? And then the taskmasters, they afflicted them 400 years. But that affliction was for a purpose, because they came in at 75 people, the 12 tribes of Israel, came in at 75 people and emerged 400 years, 430 years, at approximately 2 million people. So they became a nation while in bondage. You can see how God used every aspect, even the taskmasters, taking away the hay and wanting to make more brick. They do that to me at work sometimes. They take away the hay and want me to make more brick. So I relate to that also, but in a small way. Our afflictions are really light compared to Christ and his suffering. But as we go to the end of this lesson, there are just a few things that I want to add. God causes afflictions for good. Not everybody is afflicted because of their own sin. As we saw in Joseph's life, the man born blind, we didn't get there. It's in John 9, verses 1-3 and continuing. Examples you could come up with people that have suffered not for their sin, for other people's sin or just the sin of creation, the sin of Adam and Eve. We all suffer and we groan. But take heart, Christian, those of you who are bearing afflictions of sorts know this, that we have a great high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. And He knows our pain. He remembers that we are dust. So, may our afflictions drive us to Christ. May we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time. Perhaps the affliction is like this, and God is holding us down until we humble ourselves. And then He picks us up and hugs us and carries us along. That's how Christ is. Also, don't keep your afflictions to yourself. Don't keep your infirmities to yourself. Share them. Get them out in the light. For those who may be listening, don't have all the answers. I already quoted all that. I'm sorry. Yeah, we can go to a brother or a sister or the pastor. Take advantage of the communion of the saints. We don't have all the answers, but we just want to help. And that's where we come in about sharing each other's burdens. We're not alone. And some are going through the same things you are, as it says in Peter. Do not think it's strange, these fiery trials that are coming upon you. Your other brothers are going through the same things. There is a battle for the mind. When we're in affliction, there is a battle for the mind. That's why we're called in the scriptures to gird up the loins of our mind, not only for temptation and other things, but the afflictions of the mind. When we're afflicted without, perhaps sometimes it causes us to be afflicted within. Remember Richard Sibbes, we have a seminary of discouragements within us, and we forever got to bring them into captivity to the word of God. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. Also, it was Martin Lloyd-Jones in his book Spiritual Depression, Its Causes and Cure. He said in there, when we get afflicted in the mind, when we get depressed or discouraged, it is because we listen to ourselves. when we should be preaching to ourselves, as David did in Psalm 42. Why are you so downcast within me, O my soul? For I will yet again praise the Lord. So all through the Psalms, David is praying to God and he's preaching to himself. And it's only when we listen to ourselves that we become discouraged and downcast. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail for me to talk of Gideon, or Barak, or Samson, or Jephthah, or David, and also Samuel, and all the prophets. The afflictions are the lot of all God's people. Perhaps your pain keeps you close to the cross, or longing for that heavenly home with our Lord. Revelation 21.4, I'll close with this. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow. nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." And that's what we look forward to, our heavenly home with our Lord. Let's pray. Father, I pray that this lesson has helped some and encouraged others. Pray, Father, for a further conformity into the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that you would be glorified, Lord, in all these things. In Jesus' name, amen.