Psalms 119:65-72 - Homilies By S. Conway

The blessed effects of affliction.

I. THEY ARE CONFESSED . ( Psalms 119:65 .) Did not the following verses tell us, we should hesitate to say that the frank confession, "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant," referred to afflictions that he had suffered. But such is the reference. Many a child of God has made the confession here on earth; all will make it in heaven.

II. WE NEED THE TEACHING OF GOD ERE WE SEE THEM . ( Psalms 119:66 .) This is what is implied; it is as if he had said, "Unless thou dost teach me, I shall never be able to see that it is good for me that I have been afflicted." He would have the teaching, that he may yet more clearly see how well God hath dealt with him. But it is so; for—

III. AFFLICTION OFTEN RESTORES AND RESTRAINS THE SOUL . ( Psalms 119:67 , Psalms 119:71 . See history of Manasseh, 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 .) The burnt child dreads the fire. "Lord, with what care thou hast begirt us round!" If the way of transgressors was not hard, we should all go that way. The meaning and intent of affliction is to keep us near and to draw us nearer to God. Happy are they who, when the storm of life beats heavily, hide the more closely within the sure shelter of the love of God! And this is what God would have us do. And what a holy restraint the memory of past affliction exercises upon us! The sin which before was very attractive has now, because branded with the dread marks of God's displeasure, lost most, if not all, of its attraction. And this is another end God designs.

IV. RIGHTLY READ , IT PROVES THE GOODNESS OF GOD . ( Psalms 119:68 .) It is because it is so often wrongly read that unbelief, pessimism, and atheism so largely prevail. But submission, prayer, trust, will ever lead to the right reading.

V. THEY RENDER THE PRACTICES OF THE PROUD POWERLESS TO DO US HARM . ( Psalms 119:69 , Psalms 119:70 .) They would shrink from no falsehood to injure the godly, but they cannot separate him from the God in whom he trusts and delights.

VI. THEY MAKE GOD AND HIS WORD VERY PRECIOUS . ( Psalms 119:72 .) We say, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." But if when in deep affliction God came to our help, and sustained us under it, and sanctified us through it, and comforted us continually, must not that God be precious to our soul? Assuredly yes!—S.C.