Why Affliction?
Turn Back
(#071 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
I am a man familiar with affliction—
under the rod of the Almighty’s anger.
He has led me—brought me
into darkness, not into light.
He truly turned His hand against me,
again and again, all day long.
He made my flesh and skin prematurely old;
He broke my bones.
He laid siege against me,
surrounding me with bitterness and suffering.
He has forced me to live in darkness,
like those who are long dead.
He has walled me in so I cannot escape;
He placed heavy chains on me.
Indeed, when I cry out, calling for help,
He shuts out my prayer.
He impeded my way with blocks of stone,
making my paths uneven.
He is like a bear that lies in wait for me,
a lion in hiding.
He forced me off my path,
tearing me to pieces and making me desolate.
He bent his bow,
aiming at me with his arrow.
He caused His war arrows
o pierce my vital organs.
I have become a laughingstock to all my people,
the object of their taunts throughout the day.
He has filled me with bitterness,
making me drink wormwood.
He broke my teeth on gravel,
covering me with dust.
He has removed peace from my life;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.
(Lamentations 3:1-17)
Your correction is impossible to ignore. Everything is atoned for. Perfection comes through repentance, even forced repentance. This is what happens when You decide to bring Your strong arm against Your children. Your love enables us to see our errors. There is no easy relief at this level. Restoration is to be earned at this point. The child will grow up. No sparing of the rod in this season. (Proverbs 22:15) The Rod is meant to make us cry out. So, cry out we will Abba!
“Turn back to me Father. Please help me heal the wounds. Afflicted for my good, I accept the wisdom of it. I would like to move forward now. I would like to rise from my fall. My awe for You is permanent. I accept the scars on my heart and my soul as good. It is a reminder, like nail marks. Yes, there is restoration for me and my family, yet there are others, those who loved me. They believed in me. Grant me this prayer Father. Let me restore all that may have been taken on my account, even to those who abandoned me. You know them Father. If I have found grace in Your sight, if I have pleased You Father, then send Your manna. Peace on every side Father. This prayer I ask of You, in Yahshua’s name. So be it!”
May He give you the desire of your heart and fulfill all your purpose. (Psalm 20:4)