OUR DAILY BREAD : THE SCHOOL OF PAIN

[cimi]

WEDNESDAY MAY 6


THE SCHOOL OF PAIN

READ:
Psalm 119:75
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I know, O LORD,
that Your
judgments are
right, and that
in faithfulness
You have afflicted
me.
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In his book The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis observes that "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Suffering often helps us to redirect our focus. It shifts our thinking from immediate circumstances so we can listen to God concerning His work in our lives. Life as usual is replaced by a spiritual schoolroom.

In the Old Testament, we read how the psalmist maintained a teachable heart even during painful circumstances. He accepted them as orchestrated by God, and in submission he prayed, "In faithfulness You have afflicted me" (PD. 19:75). Isaiah the prophet viewed suffering as a refining process: "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (ISA. 48:10). And Job, despite his laments, learned about the sovereignty and greatness of God through his troubles (JOB 40-42).

We are not alone in our experience of pain. God Himself took on human form and suffered greatly: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 PETER 2:21). The One with nail-scarred hands is near. He will comfort us and teach us in our suffering..

**Dear Lord, life is so hard sometimes. I confess that I don't always see
Your purpose in my trials. Help me to trust You, and teach me to become the
person that You desire me to be.

__We learn the lesson of trust in the school of trial.

******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 119:65-80*************************
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according
to Your Word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted
I went astray, but now I keep Your Word. 68 You are good,
and do good; teach me Your statutes. 69 The proud have forged
a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole
heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in Your law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn
Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than
thousands of coins of gold and silver.

73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me
understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 Those
who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have
hoped in Your Word. 75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments
are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let,
I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to
Your Word to Your servant. 77 Let Your tender mercies come to
me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud
be ashamed, for they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
but I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 Let those who fear You
turn to me, those who know Your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be
blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Psalm 119 speaks of the priority and
sufficiency of God's Word in the daily life of the believer. Here
the psalmist admitted that he had strayed, but having been
disciplined by God, he now resolved to "keep [His] Word" (v.67).