BIBLE IN A YEAR: Zech 4-6
RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT AFFLICTION?
MEMORIZE: "Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes" (Psalm 89:32)
READ: Psalms 89:28-33
Affliction is some evil - a calamity, something causing grief and sorrow. It is also a bad state - a state of wretchedness that someone can experience. In Isaiah 53:1-12, God allowed His Son Jesus Christ to be afflicted. He was wounded and afflicted to pay for our total salvation package. Without that sacrifice, all men would have ended us in hell. Even today, afflictions are a common feature in the lives of men. However, there is a cause for every affliction that comes your way. In Matthew 23:1-4, Jesus says the Jews were afflicted by their temple leaders out of hypocrisy. Placing doctrinal burdens on members of the church without abiding by them yourself is some kind of affliction. As a leader, you should be seen to observe what you teach or else you become a task master.
Wherever hypocrisy is found,suffering results. The hypocrite not only brings affliction to himself but also to those close to him. All hypocrisy- induced afflictions are avoidable. Another cause of affliction is sin. Psalms 89:32 says, “Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes”. Some believers are sick because of sinful indulgence. Some are facing serious hardship, not as a trial of faith, but as a consequence of sin. You can avoid all sin-induced sufferings. It is wisdom to live righteously and abhor every act God has warned you to. It is only a fool that dares violate God’s instruction because it will surely bring about suffering. During the yuletide season, a minister of God received a visitor. He had ministered to the fellow before. This minister was trusting God for provision for the Christmas
When the man came and gave him a cash gift of N150,000 in N1000 denominations. Before his arrival, God had given him specific instructions. Although he was in dire need of money, he only asked the man to change one of the N1000 notes out of which he took N10 and prayed with it that night. Then the Lord revealed that the man had killed several men of God through the same method. And that he was the target this time around. But that the N10 note was meant to invite His judgement on him. Unknown to this minister, the man was an armed robber. A few days later, the man was on his way to pick the minister as an accomplice in armed robbery when he met his death. If the servant of God had allowed greed or disobedience, he would have brought serious affliction or even death upon himself. Avoid afflictions. Stop inviting the evil that is going on its own!
ACTIONPOINT: If you can prevent afflictions by total obedience to God's Word, whatever is left may be a trial of faith.
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