Topical Bible: Seeking God: Afflictions Designed to Lead To

◄ Seeking God: Afflictions Designed to Lead To ►

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In the biblical narrative, afflictions are often portrayed as instruments through which God draws individuals closer to Himself. The Scriptures reveal that God, in His sovereignty, uses trials and tribulations to refine, teach, and guide His people towards a deeper relationship with Him. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating that afflictions are not merely punitive but are also redemptive and transformative.

Purpose of Afflictions

Afflictions serve multiple purposes in the believer's life. They are a means of discipline, a call to repentance, and a catalyst for spiritual growth. Hebrews 12:6-7 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" This passage underscores the idea that God's discipline, often manifesting as affliction, is an expression of His love and a tool for spiritual maturation.

Afflictions as a Call to Repentance

The Bible frequently depicts afflictions as a divine call to repentance. In the book of Hosea, God uses the metaphor of a husband disciplining an unfaithful wife to describe His relationship with Israel. Hosea 5:15 declares, "I will return to My place until they have borne their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." Here, affliction is portrayed as a means to awaken the people to their need for God and to prompt them to seek His face earnestly.

Refinement and Purification

Afflictions are also depicted as a refining process. In the book of Malachi, God is likened to a refiner's fire, purifying the sons of Levi. Malachi 3:3 states, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness." This imagery illustrates that through afflictions, God purifies His people, removing impurities and preparing them for righteous service.

Dependence on God

Afflictions often lead believers to a greater dependence on God. The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" given to him to prevent pride and to teach reliance on God's grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 records God's response to Paul's plea for relief: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" Through this affliction, Paul learns to rely not on his own strength but on the sufficiency of God's grace.

Examples from Scripture

Numerous biblical figures exemplify the principle of seeking God through afflictions. Job, despite his intense suffering, ultimately encounters God in a profound way, leading to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom (Job 42:5-6). King David, in his psalms, often reflects on how his trials brought him closer to God, as seen in Psalm 119:67 : "Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word."

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of afflictions as a means to seek God highlights the redemptive purpose behind suffering. Through trials, believers are drawn into a closer relationship with God, refined in character, and led to a deeper understanding of His grace and sovereignty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 78:33,34
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Growth in Grace.
... another), "I have many mercies, and few afflictions." When, under ... that we are growing
in the favor of God. ... and of a diminishing tendency to self-seeking; and is ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xxii growth in grace.htm

Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent
... that they may learn true patience under diverse afflictions. ... first of whom we spoke
are seeking their own ... him surrender himself, and follow God along whatever ...
/.../i sermon for the first.htm

The Consolation
... more than equivalent to all her afflictions; she has ... is limited and regulated by
the wisdom of God. ... that continue waiting upon Him, and seeking salvation in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

Things Perishing and Things Stable
... own pettiness, shivering in the wind, or seeking a shadow ... the man who has consciously
given himself to God. ... The worse afflictions of the heart would wring them ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 13 1-7 things perishing and.htm

Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... enemy, "like a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he ... straying, and their God
binds them with afflictions, to keep ... be not dismayed; I am thy God." Now, I ...
/.../consolation proportionate to spiritual sufferings.htm

On Singing and Music.
... worship, they sat in silence before Him, seeking to draw ... could be acceptable worship
to Almighty God but what ... who were not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... I should count those but small afflictions, and should ... of conscience, would cry and
pray; yet seeking rather present ... to tell you in particular, how God did set ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

The Value of this Doctrine
... That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves ... was driving him
from the throne and seeking his very ... But he was so yielded up to God, he was ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter twelve the value of.htm

The Sweet Uses of Adversity
... Dost thou not understand that afflictions are often the black ... God loves to see a
man mighty in prayer, intent ... he will have Christ, or he will perish seeking him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the sweet uses of adversity.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... JOB'S three friends insisted on it that the afflictions which he suffered were ... had
desire to do his duty, if he was seeking to do the will of God, and give ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm