Which other scriptures emphasize God's deliverance and teaching through suffering? Anchoring truth in Job 36:15 “He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ears in oppression.” Songs of deliverance in distress • Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” • Psalm 50:15 – “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” • Psalm 107:13-14 – “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.” • 2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” • 1 Peter 5:10 – “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace… will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Affliction as God’s classroom • Psalm 119:67 – “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” • Psalm 119:71 – “It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” • Isaiah 48:10 – “See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” • Hebrews 12:10-11 – “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness… later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Refining and strengthening faith • 1 Peter 1:6-7 – Trials prove faith “more precious than gold,” resulting in praise when Christ is revealed. • James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy… because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” • Romans 5:3-5 – “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because… suffering produces perseverance… character… hope.” • 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “Our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles.” Comfort that multiplies • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – God comforts us “so that we can comfort those in any affliction with the comfort we ourselves have received.” Fatherly discipline that leads to life • Proverbs 3:11-12 – “Do not despise the LORD’s discipline… for the LORD disciplines the one He loves.” • Revelation 3:19 – “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.” Suffering that advances the gospel • Philippians 1:12-13 – Paul’s chains “have actually served to advance the gospel.” • 2 Timothy 2:9 – “I suffer… but the word of God is not chained.” Putting it together 1. Affliction does not mean abandonment; God is present to deliver. 2. Affliction is never wasted; God uses it to teach, refine, and equip. 3. Deliverance and instruction often arrive together, drawing us closer to Him and preparing us to serve others. |
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