af·flict (verb) | to cause pain or suffering to (someone or something)
de·light (noun) | a strong feeling of happiness : great pleasure or satisfaction
These two words seemingly do not go together. Or do they?
Please grab your Bible. Seriously, this will mean so much for you to read it yourself.
OK, you’ve got it? Look up Psalm 119.
As I look at Psalm 119, I am specifically drawn to the number of references to these two words. My focus for the past week (or more) has been on verses 119:1-96 and I have read them again and again and again.
Now, take out a highlighter and underlined in one color all the references to the word afflicted. In another color, all the references to delight. I’ll list them here, but when you read them in the context of the entire passage it will be much more significant, so take a moment and read Psalm 119:1-96.
I will delight myself in your statutes. Psalm 119:16 NKJV
Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Psalm 119:35 NKJV
I will delight myself in your commandments, which I love. Psalm 119:47 NKJV
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50 NKJV
Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word. Psalm 119:67 NKJV
…But I delight in your law. Psalm 119:70 NKJV
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 NKJV
…In faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 NKJV
Let your tender mercies come to me that I may live; for your law is my delight. Psalm 119:77 NKJV
Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92
In these few short verses, both concepts are woven together in what I see as the means to dealing with affliction – God’s word which is truth. And it is by the truth we are set free! That is what is being spoken of when you see the words “law,” “statues” and “commandments”. If you see a theme in my posts, you’re right. Read God’s word! It will be for your delight. It will give you perspective on your affliction and shape your heart to be found pleasing to God in the midst of your circumstances. God, he desires to fill your heart with delight in Him! The Psalmist had it right when he said:
Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92
Is it possible for a heart to be delighted in affliction? “OH MY, YES!” (In the words of the beloved pastor Chuck Smith who went to be with the Lord October 3, 2013).
I’ll leave you with one last thought… there are actually two different Hebrew words here for our single English word afflicted, and both are used in the verses above:
`anah – to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down
`oniy – affliction, poverty, misery
I am intrigued by the first word “anah” — as it reminds me of the kind of chastening we see in Hebrews 12:5: “My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens…”
Sometimes our suffering is used to accomplish in us a change of heart. It is allowed in our life for our own good (Jeremiah 24:5, 31:19; Proverbs 3:11, Hebrews 12:11). Don’t become bitter through your suffering. Instead, turn to Jesus. Put your eyes and heart on Him and He will give you a greater delight than you ever knew was possible!
