Psalm 119 - Teth

The psalmist begins this stanza by stating that God had "dealt well" with him. Two stanzas earlier, he had asserted that he would be blessed when God remembered His Word and acted accordingly. He now testifies that this is, in fact, what happened. God did act according to His Word, and the result was good dealings with His servant.

It is very insightful, however, to see the channel through which God's goodness came. Unexpectedly, the psalmist states, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes" (v. 71). The affliction was the setting for God's good work in this man's life. At least part of the affliction involved false accusations or maligned reputation that was orchestrated against him by the wicked (v. 69).

Perhaps more surprising than the affliction being the setting for God's goodness is that the affliction was actually the catalyst for manifesting God's goodness. The psalmist realizes that going through the affliction has created a change in his life. Before the affliction, he had gone astray from God's ways, but after the affliction, he keeps the Word (v. 67). Something about the affliction itself worked to bring growth in his life.

The psalmist had prayed for God to lead him in knowing His ways and in doing what was right, and God answered that prayer. The path to the answer is not one that the psalmist would have chosen, but it is one that he recognized as effective. There are some lessons that can be learned and some growth that can be achieved only through affliction. A Christian who insists on only rosy pathways and placid waters is restricted from the means to the very growth that he desires.

This man did not insist on such an idyllic life. He saw the affliction that came to him and the resulting growth, and he stated that God had dealt well with him. He told God, "You are good and do good" (v. 68). These are the words of a man who is submitted to God. This response is the sign of a man who is truly committed to learning God's ways, willing to accept whatever methods are necessary to bring that result about.

Part of the reason the affliction is so beneficial is because of what it causes the believer to do. It causes the believer to seek answers to the emerging doubts and questions. He is driven to the Bible to find those answers, resulting in a deeper knowledge of the Word. The psalmist prays, "Teach me good discernment and knowledge" (v. 66), and "Teach me Your statutes" (v. 68). He needs wisdom and truth so that he can properly respond within the affliction.

When those answers are found in God's Word, faith is strengthened. The believer is bolstered by rock-solid, dependable guidance. The increased knowledge of the Word, submitted to in obedience, forms the basis for more confident faith. This man declares, "I believe in Your commandments" (v. 66), and "With all my heart I will observe Your precepts" (v. 69). He has learned to trust the Word of God with a reliance intense enough to compel obedience.

In addition to the deeper faith, the Bible also becomes more precious to the believer who receives its hope and answers in the time of affliction. When the Bible's true value is recognized, it is completely expected that it will be held in higher estimation than it was before. The psalmist triumphantly declares, "I delight in Your law" (v. 70). He says, "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (v. 72). The Word is wonderful and special to him because of its inestimable worth; it can do and provide what no other source can.

No one desires affliction. Some of the growth that God wants to bring in the lives of His children, however, can be achieved only through affliction. When the Christian freely submits to God's hand at work, he is able to recognize God's goodness even in the affliction. He is able to see the affliction as good because of the results that it brings. A Christian who clings to the Word during his affliction will develop an increased dependence on the Word, a heightened faith in the Word, and a greater love for the Word. These are good results that make the affliction worthwhile.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word." Psalm 119:67 (NASB)