“It is good for me that I was afflicted, So that I may learn Your statutes.”- -{Psalm 119:71)

The Psalmist’s Conclusion on his Afflictions!

When we think about “good,” we often think of those things that are nice, beneficial as we view things, and profitable for us in a pleasurable way. We think of nice things, enjoyable things, “plain sailing, blue skies” circumstantially, certainly not hardship, or difficulties which we seek to avoid at all costs. Painless, pleasurable, and profitable are what come to mind. This is usually our perspective on life and it is only God who can give us Divine perspective in our circumstances and through our hardships to truly evaluate and appreciate His Word in our “afflictions!”

The Psalmist does not deny he had encounters with and endured “Afflictions,” great difficulties, and distress. He acknowledges them. He doesn’t downplay them. But he does not see them as an end in and of themselves but a means to an end, God’s end, namely that which was “Good,” for him, namely,” SO THAT I might LEARN Your Statues!”

His “afflictions,” in life did not ultimately leave him devastated, depressed, hopeless, forsaken, or desolated but they were means by which God brought “good” to him from them as they drove Him to the Word of God and God whose Word it is and from them he acquired wisdom, perspective to judge his circumstances and in this case his “afflictions,” from God’s perspective to him and he concluded?

1.- Obedience to God’s Word;

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” -(v 67)

2.- God is Good!

His View towards God was not one of resentment but an acknowledgment He was Good and Did good- which included Afflictions!

3.- Teachable spirit;

Humility! The consequence was a Teachable spirit,” Teach me Your Commandments.” – (v70)

“You are good and You do good;”

Teach me Your statutes.”- (v 70)

4.- His Conclusion? Afflictions in the Hand and from the Heart of God had a spiritually prosperous end!

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, So that I may learn Your statutes.”-(v71).

Afflictions Are never easy or painless, but by His grace, He can teach us from His Word by His Spirit

  • God is Good
  • God seeks your good
  • God does Good
  • God uses even your afflictions for good!
  • That you might learn of Him, depend upon Him and His Word.

Paul put it this way in Romans 8:28- “And we know that God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”-(Romans 8:28)

The Psalmist’s Conclusion on his Afflictions?

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, So that I may learn Your statutes.”-(v71).

God bless

Aidan,