Hard Words…..

The other morning, I was reading in Psalms.  Usually when I read the Psalms, they are uplifting
and joyful.  This morning was a little different.  I have been going through Psalm 119 (the longest book in the Bible).  It was set up as a poem where the author used each letter of the alphabet to write one verse and if I am not mistaken, each line begins with the letter of the alphabet it is under.  But enough with the history and make-up of it….the part that jumped out at me was verse 75 which reads, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”  So why in the world is the author thanking God for being faithful to afflict him?

I believe the answer lies in the character and nature of who God is.  Over the past year, I have come to learn things that I believe only a parent can truly understand.  In the midst of Samuel’s extreme cuteness, there are times (even though he is only 14 months old) that he must be corrected.  I am also realizing that in the future, I must be faithful to correct my son…and those corrections will not always be enjoyable for him.  But as his father, I love him dearly.  I cannot neglect or be lazy in his upbringing, even if that means being faithful in afflicting him.

My Father God is the same.  He is my father and knows a great deal more than me (I know, a bit of an understatement).  While there are times and events I do not enjoy going through, He is faithful in his upbringing of me.  He does not neglect either his children, nor the duty of raising them in love.  Are there times where I am afflicted…yes.  But thank you for the affliction.  They guide me from inflicting worse pain upon myself and others.  Thank you Father.

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