Topical Bible: Afflictions Made Beneficial in Humbling Us

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Topical Encyclopedia

Afflictions, though often perceived as negative experiences, are frequently depicted in the Bible as instruments used by God to humble His people and draw them closer to Him. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how suffering and trials can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper reliance on God.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Job's Suffering: The account of Job is a profound example of how afflictions can humble and refine an individual. Despite his righteousness, Job faced immense suffering, losing his wealth, health, and family. Through his trials, Job's understanding of God's sovereignty and his own limitations was deepened. In Job 42:5-6 , Job confesses, "My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes."

2. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: The Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" given to him to prevent pride and to keep him humble. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 , Paul writes, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" This passage highlights how afflictions can serve as a reminder of human frailty and the sufficiency of God's grace.

3. Israel's Wilderness Experience: The Israelites' journey through the wilderness serves as a collective example of how God uses afflictions to humble His people. In Deuteronomy 8:2-3 , Moses reminds the Israelites, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

4. David's Trials: King David experienced numerous afflictions throughout his life, from being pursued by Saul to facing rebellion within his own family. These trials often led David to a place of humility and dependence on God. In Psalm 119:67, 71 , David acknowledges, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word... It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes."

Theological Insights

Afflictions serve as a tool for spiritual refinement, stripping away self-reliance and pride. They remind believers of their dependence on God and His sovereignty over all circumstances. Through suffering, Christians are often brought to a place of humility, where they can experience God's grace and strength more fully. As James 4:10 exhorts, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

Furthermore, afflictions can foster empathy and compassion, equipping believers to comfort others with the comfort they have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). This shared experience of suffering and reliance on God can strengthen the body of Christ and deepen communal bonds.

In summary, while afflictions are challenging, they are also a means by which God humbles His people, drawing them closer to Him and molding them into the image of Christ. Through these trials, believers learn to trust in God's wisdom and timing, ultimately leading to spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with their Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 8:3,16
And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live.
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2 Chronicles 7:13,14
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
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Lamentations 3:19,20
Remembering my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
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2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
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Library

The Christian view of Sorrow
... it clearly recognizes its great and beneficial mission. ... we journey on in life there
are made in our ... is true that blessings, equally with afflictions, come from ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the christian view of sorrow.htm

The General Service to a Nun.
... the Theotokion: Held down by afflictions we entreat thee ... device for rest, having
by fasting made thy spirit ... guided the souls unto the beneficial exertions in ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxii the general service.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... we see afflictions are not prejudicial, but beneficial, to the ... is a good use that
may be made of the ... Paul's afflictions (pardon the expression) were but a play ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... to manifest the fruit of patience under crosses and afflictions. ... by love and a faithful
heart are beneficial. ... So, when Peter made this little statement about ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... gospel, of administering its ordinances, and of maintaining its moral discipline
among those over whom the Holy Ghost, in these respects, has made us overseers ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... The cause from whence these afflictions arise is known to be ... So then, that we might
in the next world be heirs of the highest good, God has made us heirs of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... pass through the new birth, and be prepared by the Holy Spirit to fit us for the
spiritual building composed of living stones; and if not made meet for that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

part i
... It is thou that savest us! "Thy faith hath made thee whole." [38] And after lively
faith in God's truth we always go from God in peace; whilst, on the contrary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm