PSALM 34:19
The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord rescues him from them all.


This Deliverance can be different then we tend to think.

The natural mind will say that deliverance is taking away all our problems if we are righteous.

God's thoughts are way higher then ours.
Our thoughts of deliverance is so low.
It doesn't mean it all goes away right away.

Paul had deep afflictions.
Timothy had deep afflictions that didn't go away.
Jesus was a man of sorrows.


Romans 8:31-35
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 


33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

He enables us to be Overcomers with His help. So much greater then taking it away. God turns it into good all around. For His good, for the good of the Kingdom and others.....

Way beyond then just making life easy.



1: THE LORD USES AFFLICTIONS TO PURIFY US FROM SIN AND MAKE US LIKE JESUS.

Romans 8:28-29
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.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;All things work for the good.

(29) The good is that we will be conformed to the image of Jesus in all that affliction.We need something of Jesus that we don't have. Like in the boat. God's will is for us to be at Rest like in the boat.

I can be at rest and peace in all situations fully trusting Him.

James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Endurace=Consistancy
To have rest when people are mean or nice.

Matthew 5:43-44
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,


Afflictions coming from other people.

He allows it so we see the Love of Jesus.
One of the most twisted words (Love).

A heart of love that doesn't depend on other people and what they do.

Sun shines equally on the righteous and unrighteous. He wants us to be like that.

Afflictions come so that we learn to love.
Bullies....why? The sun shines. Be immune to what comes. The sun always shines even during afflictions.



2: GOD USES AFFLICTIONS SO THAT WE WILL BE NEAR THE LORD.


Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near the broken-hearted and those crushed in the spirit.


During the hardest times, it drives us to lean on Him and pray. When sorrow and afflictions come, we should naturally run to Him.


Philippians 4:5-7
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.



3: GOD USES OUR AFFLICTIONS TO KEEP US HUMBLE.


The biggest problem is our self-life.
My danger is to exalt myself. God wants me to keep  low.

The suffering isn't the biggest problem, it's the self-life. God gave Israel manna so that they would be humble.




4: GOD USES OUR FAITHFULNESS IN TRIALS TO GLORIFY HIM IN WAYS WE DON'T SEE. 


We give God faithfulness in these Afflictions. Overcoming sin and temptations. The fear to doubt God. We can give something to God. Before Jesus went to the cross, His soul was troubled. There is a chance to glorify God going to the cross. Father Glorify Your Name. Most will want to take it away. Do something for yourself with this.



5: GOD USES OUR AFFLICTIONS TO SEE THE HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE.

We won't see things of ourselves when we don't suffer.


Job 1:
All the deep loses. 40 chapters of struggling with people. Loss, struggle...till the end chapter 42.

I didn't see things too wonderful for me.
Suffering...we have no idea why. Just repent.

A deeply rooted sin that comes to the surface in affliction.



6: THE LORD USES AFFLICTIONS SO WE WOULD HAVE A MINISTRY OF SUFFERING FOR OTHERS. 


2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

We can have a heart for other people.
When you go thru the suffering, it makes you pray for them and think of them.

We can die in some area for the sake of others.

Sufficient to the day the evil thereof.
God will use it for good. Somethings won't ever see till the last day.

The Lord will deliver us and we will be Overcomers.