The School of Affliction

We read in Job 5:17&18: “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty; for He maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and His hands make whole.” These words, uttered by Eliphaz, are very instructive. Although they were spoken to the wrong person, at the wrong time, and in the wrong disposition, they certainly contain a profound scriptural truth. It is the same truth that we find in the words of our meditation, and we would do well if we take them to heart.

Painful for the flesh

It is evident from Psalm 119 that David was a dear child of God. He was a man with a new heart and a new life. However, he also suffered from an old disease—the disease of stubbornness and going astray (verse 67). It is a disease that we all carry. Since we in Adam turned our backs upon the Lord, we stray farther and farther away from Him. We have a proud spirit and an innate aversion to God’s statutes.

Happily, the man after God’s heart was cured from the dominion of this terrible disease. How did that happen? What was the means that God used in curing him? It was affliction. Surely, David needed instruction out of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to be humbled. Yet, he also needed a special school—the school of affliction. How humbling to think of that. Such is the foolishness of man that “we shall never obey God or we must first be forced to it by the rod of His chastisement” (Calvin). Even David could not do without that. He needed remedial teaching in the school of grace.

Of what did David’s afflictions consist? He was persecuted by his enemies (verse 87) and in constant danger of his life (verse 109). All God’s children receive their share of such afflictions. They may also have to cope with other evils such as poverty or illness, a wounded heart or a heavy spirit, hardships in the home or in the upbringing of the children, a visible or a hidden cross. Such evils are painful for the flesh, but the worst thing is that, by nature, we do not see from where they come, that we have deserved them, and why we need them.

Profitable for the soul

Therefore, it is such a blessing if divine love is poured into our heart by the Holy Spirit. Affliction itself does not bring us to the right place. Instead of humbling us, it will even harden or stupefy us. However, when the love of God is shed abroad, the rod of affliction will be sanctified to the soul. We see it in the life of Simon of Cyrene, of David, and of many others in God’s Word. Can it also be seen in your life? Have you been discovered to your enmity and peevishness? Have you been won over to bow under God’s justice and to abhor yourself in the dust? Has it ever become a wonder that you are still alive? Does the Lord lay too much upon your shoulders, or is He right in all His ways and works?

The school of affliction may be painful for the flesh, but it is profitable for the soul. The Lord makes room for that blessed Mediator who subjected Himself to His Father’s will and bore the punishment for all His children. Oh, a sight of Him will humble the soul even deeper! It will cause the sinner to mourn bitterly but also draw out his heart unto Him whose name is Jesus. Where can a Savior be found who is so suitable, so sufficient, so altogether lovely? Grace has been poured into His lips, and He gives beauty for ashes. How great it is when a poor and needy sinner may look unto Him, yea, flee unto Him and cleave unto Him by faith. Then the Father lays aside the rod of His anger and embraces His child in tender mercy.

Nevertheless, affliction will again and again be the portion of God’s people on this side of the grave. Why? Because that old disease is still rooted in their heart. When David fell into grievous sins, a fatherly chastisement was needed to bring him back. Although he received a full pardon through Christ, the sword did not depart from his house. No, we should not ask for affliction, but in the school of affliction, profitable lessons are learned.

Glorifying unto God

The psalmist learned to love God’s statutes and precepts. That was ultimately the Lord’s purpose in afflicting David. The school of affliction rendered a blessed fruit as we can see in our text. David did not only feel the necessity of the rod of chastisement, he was also granted to approve of it with all his heart. By nature, we are like the dog that bites the stick, but a humbled soul knows of times when he may kiss the rod. Then it appears that honey is dripping from it. Then the yoke of Christ becomes easy and His burden light.

Reader, do you still live in rebellion or indifference? How dreadful if that does not change. To live in rebellion is a foreboding of eternal afflictions. Oh, turn before it is too late. The loving invitations of the gospel are still extended to you. May you learn to surrender and to justify a holy God. Then Christ will be exalted to the highest, and your soul will be delivered from the horrible pit.

Child of God, your Master wants you to live in a tender fear and to honor His name. To that end, afflictions are necessary on your pathway. David remained a straying sheep till the end of this Psalm (verse 176) and till the end of his life. That will also be your experience. Still, the Lord is faithful to His people, and He is never mistaken. Oh wonder, the day is coming that those straying sheep will adore God for all His dealings here below. Then they will sing forever, “It is good for me, that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes!”

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