Does God Afflict His Children?
God allows afflictions to bring His children into a place of abundant fruitfulness and to make them fruitful for His kingdom.
David Wilkerson addresses the question of whether God afflicts His children, emphasizing that while God allows trials and afflictions to refine and prepare His beloved for a place of abundant fruitfulness, He does not take pleasure in their suffering. The psalmist reflects on the hardships endured, illustrating that these challenges serve a divine purpose, leading to spiritual growth and maturity. Wilkerson reassures that not all afflictions stem from God, as many arise from the enemy, and God's intention is never to harm but to ultimately bless His children. He shares personal experiences of enduring multiple afflictions, affirming that God has always brought him through, reinforcing the truth of His Word.
Text
Does God afflict His own children? Listen to the psalmist's answer: "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Psalm 66:10-12).
The psalmist is saying, "Lord, You put me in waters so high over my head that I thought I would drown. You put me into the fire, to try me as silver is tried. You brought me into a net, laid affliction on me, caused men to trounce on me!"
Why did God allow such afflictions? It was because He was bringing His beloved child into a "wealthy place." In the original Hebrew this phrase means "a place of abundant fruitfulness." God is saying, "I'm taking you through all these hard places to make you fruitful for My kingdom."
Yet not all afflictions are from the hand of God. Many troubles come from the devil himself, straight from the pits of hell. "For he [God] doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men" (Lamentations 3:33). God says, "I get no joy out of afflicting My children. That is not My purpose in allowing troubles." No, the Lord allows our afflictions only for His eternal purposes, to bring us into a "wealthy place."
I cringe with amazement as I remember all the sorrows, trials, deep waters, flaming fires and powerful afflictions I have seen over the years. And usually when afflictions came, they came not just one at a time, but in bundles. Many times I thought, "There is no way I can make it through this." Even the memories of afflictions are painful -- memories of slander, chastenings of the Lord, ministry trials, personal buffetings, family problems, bodily pains and aches. Yet, as I recall those years of suffering, I can say with assurance, "God's Word is true. He brought me out of every affliction that came upon me and I praise Him!"
Sermon Outline
- I. God Afflicts His Children for Eternal Purposes
- A. To bring them into a 'wealthy place'
- B. To make them fruitful for His kingdom
- II. Not All Afflictions Come from God
- A. Some troubles come from the devil
- B. God does not afflict willingly or grieve His children
- III. God's Purpose in Affliction
- A. To bring us into a place of abundant fruitfulness
- B. To refine us like silver
Key Quotes
“You put me in waters so high over my head that I thought I would drown.” — David Wilkerson
“I'm taking you through all these hard places to make you fruitful for My kingdom.” — David Wilkerson
“I get no joy out of afflicting My children.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- God's purpose in affliction is to bring us into a place of abundant fruitfulness, so we should trust in His sovereignty.
- We should not assume that all troubles come from God, but rather seek to understand the source of our afflictions.
- Even in the midst of suffering, we can praise God for His faithfulness and goodness.