Topical Bible: Afflictions and Adversities: Resignation In, Exemplified

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Afflictions and adversities are an integral part of the human experience, often serving as a crucible for spiritual growth and maturity. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated resignation and faith in the face of trials, offering believers a model for enduring hardships with grace and trust in God's sovereign plan.

Job's Resignation in Suffering

The account of Job is perhaps the most profound biblical example of resignation amidst severe affliction. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), faced the loss of his wealth, children, and health. Despite his profound suffering, Job's response was one of worship and submission: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's acceptance of his circumstances, without cursing God, exemplifies a deep trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.

Joseph's Endurance and Forgiveness

Joseph's life, as recorded in Genesis, is marked by betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Despite these adversities, Joseph remained faithful to God, ultimately rising to a position of power in Egypt. His resignation is evident in his words to his brothers, who had sold him into slavery: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). Joseph's perspective highlights a belief in God's redemptive purposes, even through suffering.

David's Trust in God's Deliverance

King David faced numerous adversities, including persecution by King Saul and betrayal by his own son, Absalom. Throughout these trials, David consistently expressed his trust in God. In Psalm 23, David declares, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). David's psalms often reflect a heart resigned to God's will, confident in His protection and deliverance.

Paul's Contentment in Hardship

The Apostle Paul experienced extensive hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. Yet, he maintained a spirit of contentment and joy. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances" (Philippians 4:11). Paul's resignation is rooted in his understanding that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13), demonstrating reliance on divine strength rather than personal ability.

Jesus' Submission to the Father's Will

The ultimate example of resignation in affliction is found in Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the agony of the cross, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Jesus' submission to the Father's will, even unto death, exemplifies perfect obedience and trust in God's redemptive plan.

These biblical figures illustrate that resignation in the face of afflictions and adversities is not passive acceptance but an active trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. Their examples encourage believers to endure trials with faith, knowing that God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

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Judges 10:15
And the children of Israel said to the LORD, We have sinned: do you to us whatever seems good to you; deliver us only, we pray you, this day.
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1 Samuel 3:18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seems him good.
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2 Samuel 12:23
But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
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2 Samuel 15:26
But if he thus say, I have no delight in you; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seems good to him.
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2 Samuel 16:10,12
And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why have you done so?
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2 Samuel 24:14
And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
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2 Kings 4:26
Run now, I pray you, to meet her, and say to her, Is it well with you? is it well with your husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:
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2 Kings 20:19
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
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Nehemiah 9:33
However, you are just in all that is brought on us; for you have done right, but we have done wickedly:
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Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
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Job 1:21,22
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
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Job 2:10
But he said to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
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Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.
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Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
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Psalm 39:9
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.
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Psalm 71:20
You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
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Psalm 119:75
I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.
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Isaiah 39:8
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
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Jeremiah 10:19
Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous; but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
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Lamentations 1:18
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
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Lamentations 3:39
Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
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Daniel 9:14
Therefore has the LORD watched on the evil, and brought it on us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does: for we obeyed not his voice.
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Micah 7:9
I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.
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Luke 23:40,41
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do not you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?
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Acts 21:14
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
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Romans 5:3,4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;
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2 Corinthians 6:4-10
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
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2 Corinthians 7:4
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
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James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
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