Psalm 119:65-72
65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in 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 insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Are you thankful for pain? Do you thank God for consequences? Chances are that you have suffered some painful consequences for your sin, like disease or divorce or financial loss. The "natural" response to painful circumstances is to be angry at the unfairness of life. But the psalmist was actually thankful for the suffering, because it taught him to obey God's word (verses 67 & 71). Pain can actually be good if it causes us to rely more on God. Although I am not happy with what my sin has cost me, I know that it has also taught me to rely more on God, and has humbled my self-centered pride. That is something to be thankful for.
Lord, thank you for teaching me through my pain.
65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in 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 insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Are you thankful for pain? Do you thank God for consequences? Chances are that you have suffered some painful consequences for your sin, like disease or divorce or financial loss. The "natural" response to painful circumstances is to be angry at the unfairness of life. But the psalmist was actually thankful for the suffering, because it taught him to obey God's word (verses 67 & 71). Pain can actually be good if it causes us to rely more on God. Although I am not happy with what my sin has cost me, I know that it has also taught me to rely more on God, and has humbled my self-centered pride. That is something to be thankful for.
Lord, thank you for teaching me through my pain.