Psalm 55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that stays of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. There are some who have no changes of fortune from prosperity to adversity. "Therefore," says the psalmist, "they fear not God." I. DIFFERENT KINDS. 1. Disappointments. 2. Financial ruin. 3. Sickness. II. Uses. 1. Corrective. "Before I was afflicted I went astray." 2. Instructive. Prosperity is apt to intoxicate the imagination; affliction teaches humility and dependence upon God. 3. Sanctifying. They purify the heart, bring God nearer to the soul, and make the promises more precious. III. IMPROVEMENT. 1. Continued prosperity is not always best for man. If prosperity hardens the heart and keeps God out, then is affliction a blessing. 2. Under severe affliction grace is needed to keep the soul from despair. 3. If we are without affliction, are we sure that we do not spirtually need their discipline? (L. O. Thompson.) Parallel Verses KJV: God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. |
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