AFFLICTED BUT NOT ABANDONED

The memory of days of affliction were indeed a reality to a nation such as Israel. The history of the chosen people was filled with instances of tragedy and trouble. There were, of course, times when they celebrated great victories, Exod. 15. 1, but how many bitter memories there were of oppression and exile. Yet if we take the time of youth, Psa. 129. 1, this would take us back to Egypt’s slavery; when Israel was a child (youth), it was out of Egypt that he was called, Hos. 11. 1. Many periods of suffering were permitted by God—often the results of their waywardness and sin. Verse 3 suggests that stripes were laid heavily upon the nation, deep furrows in their back. And still the nation suffers today.

The force of the psalmist’s words lies in verse 2: “yet they have not prevailed against me”. Here is a testimony to the amazing fact of Israel’s preservation through all their trials and troubles. They survive! They are oppressed but not overcome! This preservation did not rest in what they were or achieved; it was the result of the actions of their God. “The Lord is righteous”, v. 4. The sovereign activity of the God of Israel, often mysterious, showed that He would never allow His own people, whom He loved, to be finally defeated. Verses 5-8 tell of God’s dealings with their oppressors.

This has a great lesson for us today. It is good to consider the apostle Paul’s approach to tribulations and trials. Note 2 Corinthians 4. 8-9, “troubled on every side, yet not distressed … perplexed, but not in despair”. He is “persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”. What great words these are. Perhaps we can remember times of great affliction, when there seemed to be no light in the dark sky. We were battered and bruised, utterly cast down. Yet with the apostle we can look away and say, “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory”, 2 Tim. 4. 17-18. Let us lay hold upon this.

As we view the meaning of affliction in the life of a believer, it is good to fall back on the unerring wisdom of God. He knows how much we can take—He knows when to lift the burden and give relief. He is a faithful God, and with the temptation or trial, He will make a way of escape, 1 Cor. 10. 13.