Psalm 119:71: The Sun and a Snowy Woods, Sarpy County, Nebraska.

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:71

Afflicted for My Good

In his commentary notes on Psalm 119 theologian Charles Ryrie wrote, “The goodness of God sometimes includes discipline.” We don’t always think of discipline as being from God’s goodness, but God uses discipline to help us grow into the person He wants us to be.

The Lord’s discipline eventually draws those who love God, closer to Him. As verse 67 of Psalm 119 tells us, God’s discipline brings us back to Him after we have “gone astray.” And verse 75 says that God afflicts us through His faithfulness.

Although we don’t normally see affliction as beneficial, God does. He faithfully uses the troubles in our lives to draw us closer to Him and to help us learn spiritual truths.