AFFLICTION

The idea of affliction brings unpleasant thoughts to most of our minds, and even troubles the average human’s emotion.  Nonetheless, this word is used abundantly throughout the Bible (both OT & NT), to describe plagues, tribulation, trouble, disease, grief, delusion, distress, misfortune, suffering, remorse, punishment, humiliation, ill-treatment, disaster, misery and even many forms of hardship. Have you ever wondered why this word appears so many times in the scriptures?  Perhaps it’s the reality of human existence.  Is there life without some form of affliction? 

While there are plenty individuals in our world promoting such an idea, whether through the consumption or application of some magic potion (some of you remember #9); the use of the “perfect” and/or superior (better than all the rest) diet, exercise routine or equipment; the application of certain principles from the latest self-help, humanistic, or pagan/mystical literature; or through the prayers/lying-on-of-hands/anointing of the “right” so called “Christian” spiritual leader/pastor/evangelist, the simple fact is all humanity is afflicted!  We’re afflicted, 1st with sin and death, and 2nd with suffering/pain, misfortune, and all the definitions of affliction listed above.

In the OT, afflictions are both individual (sickness, poverty, oppression … sometimes at the hands of the rich or powerful, perverted justice, etc.) and national (war, invasions, catastrophe, conquest by foreign peoples, exile, etc.)  In the NT, much attention is given to personal suffering and fierce antagonism manifested against those following Jesus Christ, ultimately resulting in their persecution.  In every situation, from both the OT and NT, the sources of affliction, as well as the meaning and purpose of affliction, must be given careful consideration and approached with the highest level of biblical/spiritual discernment. 

As an example, physical and mental maladies in the time of Christ were considered either the work of evil spirits/demons/Beelzebub/Satan or a direct result of someone’s individual sin. (see Mark 1:23; 3:22; 5:2; Matthew 9:32)  However, while Christ certainly gives some credence to this concept based upon His ministry in several distinct occasions, He also clearly rebukes this as an absolute certainty when dealing with the one born blind in John 9.

And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.                      

 — John 9:2-3

There is also a much overlooked event that occurs with the Apostle Paul in Acts 28.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.  When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”  However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.                            

  — Acts 28:3-6

How interesting the presumptions and confused misjudgments of humanity … obviously lacking spiritual understanding and discernment, adopting some human philosophy that fails to align itself with Christ’s teachings (Truth) or the revelation we have in His Word! I’ve actually heard people say Paul didn’t have enough faith to rid himself of his “thorn in the flesh.”  How can true believers ignore God’s Truth and buy in to such humanistic, mystical, pagan, narcissistic mind-science?  No matter what mankind says, some spiritual leader says, or you say, God irrefutably declares: 

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.               

— II Corinthians 12:7-10

Why was the messenger of Satan sent?  What was Paul’s resolution?  How can this response be anything other than from a man who lives by faith in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) who loves Paul and gave His life for him!  When will the faithful come to understand that we are not exempt creatures, we do not live life in some utopian Christian bubble without affliction? (See Psalm 34:19) Nonetheless, indisputably, no matter the affliction, we have permanent companionship through every difficulty/struggle! (See Hebrews 13:5-6, I Peter 1:3-9, I Corinthians 10:13)  Believers can absolutely know and discern the source and purpose of their affliction(s), and will undoubtedly, according to the scriptures, have grace and strength from above to endure and/or escape!   You may recall the words of Christ upon learning about His close friend’s death in John 11:4:

This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.  

That’s not Jesus speaking false hope, formulated faith, or trying to spin the facts to make everyone feel better.  No, that’s spiritual discernment, knowing the source and purpose of the event/affliction.  Is Romans 8:28 God’s Word/Truth or not?  Is He provident and sovereign over all/everything? (See Psalm 139)

Recently, on several occasions, I’ve heard people question why there are so many individuals suffering at WOF.  First of all, there is no evidence of such an increase.  Second, we are humans who openly suffer affliction (there’s more about Paul’s suffering in the NT than his blessings).  Conversely, asking this question provides great revelation.  One either fails to understand the truth of, and even the need for affliction among believers, or one has erroneously embraced some non-biblical, man-made, pagan philosophy concerning suffering/affliction, and attempted to robe those destructive concepts in the framework of orthodox Christianity.  GOD forbid!  That’s about as heretical as declaring Jesus a failure (which I’ve heard) because He was unable to bring in the Kingdom (His earthly mission) and died trying!  Totally absurd, according to JC — John 17:4.  

Here’s my prayer/desire for all of us at WOF, especially as Easter 2012 quickly approaches.  Please begin focusing on someone else’s afflictions — that of Jesus Christ, which will absolutely broaden/transform one’s perspective on this whole subject.  May we all consider Him as our mentor and completely incorporate His life as our model …

Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross” … “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (from Hebrews 12:2-3)

Always remember, Truth — understood and applied sets us (true and faithful believers/disciples) absolutely free from all this profane, deviating, dissenting nonsense.                     

— Pastor Frank    

PLAGUE

As believers in Christ Jesus, we shouldn’t presume God’s intention in the current pandemic.  However, the Lord God certainly has reason to judge humanity. Prior to all the shutdowns in America alone, 3,000+ babies were being murdered every day through abortion (far more than fatality numbers of COVID-19). Sexual immorality is running rampant in the LGBT movement as well as Christ’s church. As a culture and society, we have largely abandoned God’s Word as a standard for right and wrong, and replaced it with human perspective, reason, or speculative scientific hypothesis that’s accepted as fact. Therefore, it’s relatively easy to see why God might choose to judge our nation, and the entire world.

So perhaps the next valid question to ask might be, “Is COVID-19 a plague?” Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines a plague as “a stroke of affliction, or disease — sent as a divine chastisement.” The biblical word translated plague in the Old testament, actually comes from several words in original biblical languages. One Hebrew word for plague is daber (דָּ֑בֶר). It is often translated as plague or pestilence. Another word for plague is makkah (מַכָּה) which may also denote other concepts besides what is understood as a plague. In the Old Testament, a plague may appear to have occurred by natural causes as in Amos 4:10. At other times, plagues appear to be a more direct assault from God as in the Hebrew word, nega (נֶגַע), in Exodus 11:1 … Now the Lord said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt.”

The New Testament terms for plague all function in a similar manner, with several words being translated as plague in different versions of the scripture. Nevertheless, plege’ is the most common word used for plague in our New Testaments. While not always to be understood or translated as God’s judgment upon a group of people, the term might undoubtedly describe such an event. For example, Jesus uses the Greek word, loimos, when he declared of Jerusalem, “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences” in Luke 21:11. Revelation 15:1 uses plege’,

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

As one considers (weighs) how/what to think during this challenging and difficult time, it’s always appropriate and even expedient to remember the words of Job,

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:21

Even when it seems as if our world is breaking into pieces and falling apart, our God is, and always will be, in control. The Lord definitely knows what’s going on, and is intimately involved in this crisis (whether natural or man-made, lie or true), as well as in every situation! That includes your life and mine. Therefore, in whatever manner you’ve been affected by this virus-crisis, God sees/fully knows every detail and is merciful according to Psalm 145:9. Continue to trust Him despite the chaos that may surround you and others … undoubtedly, He has proven Himself worthy of our confidence, as well as our worship — over and over, again and again!

God’s prophet, Samuel, spoke openly with the Lord’s people in I Samuel 12:24 – Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Due to the fact that the consequences of COVID-19 are so severe, it easily qualifies as a plague of biblical proportion. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean that all of a sudden our pagan, self-centered world comes running to Christ Jesus in repentance, or that it even stops to pray to the Lord, God Almighty, asking Him to bring wisdom and/or destroy the virus. No, instead, too many look to and trust human effort and resources to resolve the issue. Perhaps a much greater power and a little humility is needed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea that our society has an attitude of let’s pull up our boot straps, dig in, work hard, and beat this thing! But to believe victory is possible without the Lord’s help, Who dearly prizes the creation that’s made in His own image, is absolutely heretical lunacy.     

Lord, let us be of sound mind, believing/knowing that our help comes from You, that Your ways are higher than ours, and that only the fool functions in a mindset that chooses to deny Your existence, omniscience, and omnipotence!  Please think on things above, not the things of this world and pray for healing, coupled with genuine repentance.

–PF