affliction – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Because Jesus was afflicted.

Since my youth they have often attacked me
let Israel say—
since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not prevailed against me.

Plowmen plowed over my back;
they made their furrows long.

The Lord is righteous;
he has cut the ropes of the wicked.” (Psalm 129:1-4)

Here in this psalm, the poet laments his afflictions, yet finds hope in that the Lord will ultimately deliver him and curse his enemies.

Years later, Jesus would also be afflicted. He knew what it meant to be despised. He knew what it was like to be afflicted, his back plowed by whips, furrows cut into his back. More, he knew the pain and humiliation of crucifixion.

But God raised him from the dead, delivering him from the grave.

More importantly, it was because of Jesus’ afflictions that we now have peace with God. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

That’s the reason why on the day of Jesus’ birth, the angels didn’t call down a curse on us. Rather, they raised their voice in worship to God, pronouncing his blessings on us.

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors! (Luke 2:14)

Our response to troubled times

I truly love this passage. I could probably write 12 sermons based on it if not more. 🙂

But in these troubled times, the scripture that stood out to me was verse 12.

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Rejoice in hope.

The people around us don’t have a lot of hope. And because of that, they easily get angry and cynical when they look at the world around them.

But as Christians, we should never be that way. Why not? Because we have a hope that this world does not have.

We have hope that these troubles will not last forever. And we have hope that Jesus will come back and make all things right.

So let us remember that and choose to rejoice in that hope.

Be patient in affliction.

Again, sometimes our trials seem never-ending. Covid-19 certainly seems that way.

But because of the hope we have, let us keep our eyes focused on Him who is our hope and wait for his deliverance patiently with quietness and confidence. (Psalm 33 :20-21, Isaiah 30:15-18)

Finally, be persistent in prayer.

Pray for our leaders, especially. But also pray for those who are hurting around us and need Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

More let us be a light to them in this darkened world.

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.