God Made Me Do It
I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 NASB
You have afflicted me – We give the devil way too much credit. If something bad happens, he is to blame. If we are tempted, he is responsible. Tragedies and horrors follow in his wake. If we were to believe the popular cultural ideas about Satan, it is amazing that anyone survives. But like most religious things, these ideas don’t originate in Scripture. In fact, in Scripture “God made me do it.”
Notice what David says. First he acknowledges that whatever God does is righteous. God’s actions are tsedeq, correct, equitable, accurate and the right thing to do. They are above suspicion. Amazingly, some of these righteous acts bring affliction. God is faithful. He forces His children into submission. Emunah is the motive for ‘anah. God uses affliction (‘anah) for His purposes and His purposes are to bring about confession and repentance. Because God made a covenant commitment to His people, He will not hesitate to correct them and this often means causing bad things to happen in order to change the direction of those He loves. Stop giving Satan all the credit. Most of the time, God is doing the afflicting.
David’s commentary on the character of YHVH teaches us two critically important lessons. First, God is good. Period! Nothing God does serves evil purposes. With that in mind, we next consider the sovereignty of the Lord in relation to what happens to us. And the surprising answer is that God is good even when bad things happen because He brings those things upon us in order that we might repent and return to Him. Lesson number two. God is untiringly faithful to see to it that we come back to Him. Therefore, He will do whatever it takes to bring that about. It isn’t Satan who is causing your distress. Satan is but a minor player on the universal stage. His time is limited. He doesn’t get headline billing. God is the one who is at work here. Lesson two is that if you have eyes to see what’s really happening, you will recognize that God is forcing you into submission. Gently, carefully, considerately, but nevertheless, determinedly. Open your eyes. See the truth. This is God at work.
‘innitani. “You have afflicted me.” Can you say that with full consciousness? Can you stand in front of the throne and say, “You, Lord, have afflicted me”? If you can, then the next words from your mouth must be, “And I thank you.” What would you have become were it not for the corrective action of YHVH? Aren’t you glad that He cared so much about you He was willing to do whatever it took to bring you back? Did you really suffer so greatly that you can’t see God’s handiwork in the events? Were you so damaged that faith is no longer possible? I am not suggesting that there is no such thing as evil. Of course there is! Human history is a litany of evil, usually caused by other people. But I am not willing to discount the faithfulness of YHVH. He corrects. Affliction—what a wonderful word!
Topical Index: affliction, ‘anah, righteous, tsedeq, faithfulness, emunah, Psalm 119:73
Paul knew that, didn’t he? We don’t know the nature of his thorn in the flesh, just the outcome. It occurs to me that such a perspective might be key to our response, as well. We tend to focus on the affliction — “oh, woe is me, look what the devil did to me” — which can prevent us from giving full credence to the outcome, and yet, it is the outcome upon which YHVH wants us to focus! Much to chew on here.
Amen, Suzanne.
We are all in desperate need of grace. Theoretically, I guess we all ‘know’ that.
But it is certain that unless I EXPERIENCE my need for that grace, not only will I not know HOW to ask for it (open my hand to receive it), I will not know how to be grateful for it (praise YHVH correctly), and I need to do both as MY end of that reception. Grace in my life without a correct sense of my need for it or a humble sense of thankfulness for it I know from experience almost guarantees that my EXPERIENCE of grace is going to just SEEM like license (well, so far I am batting 100% on that license!). I am ashamed to say it. But I know myself. I have looked in myself for a ‘natural’ correct response to grace, and found none. At this stage, I have just about consigned myself to the awful and sad fact that there may never be one. For me, anyway, it may well be a true statement that perhaps the only way that grace can even get in properly enough to work, is through affliction. Only the experience of affliction puts me on my knees in such a way that I can receive (experience my need for) that grace. I have no ‘natural’ humility or gratitude with which to let that grace properly into my life. I know. I have looked for them. I guess that may well be my permanent affliction! Laurita is no saint! Ok, I’ve fessed up. Just one more way to be thankful for affliction for me! Halleluah!
I was reading in Samuel this morning when he was speaking to the people after they had demanded that he chose a king for them. Even though they had done this great evil, he encouraged them not to fear and to pursue God’s ways. (1 Sam. 12)
What struck me immediately was the statement that, because of His great name, He will not abandon and that He RESOLVES (pounds out) to make them His people. Even though their circumstances had changed (from bad to worse) God’s intentions hadn’t changed a bit. The “warning” was the same, follow me and live, or follow another and die. The only difference is that now they had another entity besides themselves (the king) to hold accountable. The rest is His-story.
The earth and the fullness thereof is YHWH’s……..let us make them in our image and our likeness….
It’s all by His hand.
YHWH bless you and keep you…….
I know this sounds like I’m answering my own post, but it goes along this same line. I was pressed for time when I wrote the above.
When Samuel told the Israelites to follow YHWH with all their heart, he also said to not turn aside to VAIN things. That word is tohue (TAV-HEY-VAV) and it’s the same word used in Genesis 1 where it says the earth was without form. The interesting part is that there was a “previous’ form, at least of some sort, already existing. So what does it mean? Here’s another possible way to look at this word. Heyh (HEY-VAV-HEY) means to be alive (breath). Tohue can be looked at as T-hue, or (TAV – HEY-VAV) and if the tav is taken as a prefix, the HEY-VAV is one breath short of life.
In other words, though things and people “exist” in a very real way, until the order of YHWH is applied, it’s tohue, without form, vanity, one breath short of real life……..and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a LIVING soul.
YHWH bless you and keep you………
I like very much this teaching today. Tell us more Skip.
I have always felt that if one gives Satan opportunity, he will offer them some nasty paths to tread but it is still a choice. The devil never “makes” you do it.
Very interesting thought here that God is the author of affliction. I think I knew that but have been so overwhelmed with the cultures version of a loving God who would never cause “bad” things in a persons life. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard folks deny that God would cause a loved one to die or even the loss that we as a nation suffered on 9-11. There are books written on this!
People say, “where is God in all this?” I think this teaching today makes it abundantly clear what David is saying being inspired by his love for God. He is always there. He is quick to correct those who love Him. I do not see this applying to those who have refused Him.
I have read so many comments about the God I serve being a murderer and baby killer. That He is harsh and hateful. Why would anyone chose to serve such a one? I can see in reading thru scripture where a person could come to that conclusion but God is so much more than just that. People just don’t like to be told what to do and God does give some pretty deep instruction for His people.
The world is filled with people who deny Him in one way or another. Do these people suffer affliction from Him or is the chaos in their lives simply a result of refusing to humble themselves before the Lord?
For example, what is up with the many killings by ISIS? They claim to do this for religious reasons-to what end? Are they evil? (I think so) It seems pretty obvious that they have chosen to refuse Y-H. Is God using them to purge his people as they seem bent on killing “Christians” or are they just blood thirsty and making sacrifices to their bloody gods?
Kinda off topic but this sure is a current issue and we should all be aware and concerned.
Wow. This was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you, Lord.
Don’t think I have ever shared a song before on this site, but just now came across this one that is relevant. “Though You slay me” by Shane and Shane. Even the passionate mini sermon preached by John Piper at the end of the song is apropos to this truth.
http://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY
Skip said, “We give the devil way too much credit. If something bad happens, he is to blame.”
I was visiting a Church that I helped some Christians plant about 15 years ago. As I walked up to the building I noticed a bunch of tissues blowing away from the entrance area. I walked around the corner to go to the entrance of the building and there I saw a little devil with a tissue box by his side. I sat by him put my arm around him and try to comfort him in his tears. I asked why he was sitting outside the church entrance and crying. He cried all the more harder with hurt in his heart and said it was because all the Christians in the Church were blaming him for everything that was going wrong.
Cheers to this message again! I’m thankful G-d wants us to own our lives and not blame the devil or others for junctures we walk through on our life’s journey towards a loving Father in Heaven. I’m thankful for my sorrow and very heavy grieving over the past that cannot be. G-d knows what is best He is a Creator and I am just a creation.
Thank you Skip for having heaven in your heart to teach truth that leads to ever lasting joy!
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Ps. 3:3
Praise Him for His awesome greatness-His unquestionable Lovingkindness. I am certain beyond a doubt that some of the more disastrous experiences I have suffered through were, in truth, rescues from far worse. At this time in my life I want my heart to line up with His Heart-to want what He wants and move as He moves. He has given me a choice (Deut. 30:19, “I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse…choose life….!”) I have grown suspicious of the “drawings” my heart sometimes focuses on..in too many cases when I hold them up beside His Word….there’s something just a little fishy about them. I must release bitterness and angst when someone has hurt me and even devastated years of my life. He can restore what the locust has eaten…I just need to distance myself from the toxic reaction in my own heart..it WILL kill me-physically, due to the inflammation the stress will cause in my physical body and spiritually when my heart will become twisted and crippled and make me deaf to His Voice. He KNOWS what I need, (Matt.6:8) even before I was born (Ps. 139). I can choose to harden my heart against Him but knowing what He has done to rescue me from certain death
(Col.1:21-23) I don’t want to. I WANT to trust Him (Prov.3:5,6) – I CHOOSE Him to know what is best for me (Matt.6:8) He IS pure, unadulterated Love (IJohn 4:19) and He came to me first to offer everything He is and has (John 15:16). I have finally learned..and remember most of the time….when I’m unsure I can go to Him and He will give me the safe route to follow (James 1:5). When I think of it all..it comes to mind that I have told my adult children-with a smile…”Just remember-I love you more than life and if you ever swim too far out and get caught in waves pulling you under……I would consider knocking you unconscious to get you safely to shore…if there was no other way.”
Thank you. This meant a lot to me.
Amen Marsha
FATHER KNOWS BEST
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.”
Thanks, Skip, for reminding us Who’s leading who!
It’s time to shout this from the rooftop – to bring balance to the body – to stop the craziness of the ‘who dunnit’ game!! We need to stop making the ‘devil’ a demi-god – one who is almost on par with the HOLY ONE of Israel! After all – did He not create everything? Is he not in control of all that He made? Maybe it is ‘us’ who have created the ‘devil’ ….. and it was never intended to be such a ‘high thing’! My thoughts……we have met the enemy….and it is ‘us’.
Amein to that Pam
Well, Skip, this goes hand-in-hand with your: “This, too, is the Kindness and Truth of the Lord,” especially when there are difficult times with which to handle.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Can we come to the place where we can say, “Though He slay me, yet I trust in Him”? I have assumed that Job meant that he would maintain that trust no matter what would happen to Him.
Can we see through the “slaying” to believe that, “all things work together for good to those who love Him? Skip you made some excellent points about our “arch-enemy”. He does not deserve all the credit that we give him for what we perceive as evil events in our lives. Our Abba is in the business of saving souls. That is why the ultimate price was paid for sin and as long as we call upon Him, make faltering steps to Him He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is all about Yahshua; not Jenafor. He died the death that I deserve to die in order that I may live His life – a life without sin. Can I accept that fact?
Shalom
Yes Lord, You have afflicted me, and I am truely thankful for it!
I will be contrarian here and this has confused me for a long time. We know that the world is fallen; the garden of Eden didn’t have cancer and death. Did God send cancer to loved ones? Did he allow it? Is it just semantics? Evil and brokenness happen. This is an old issue that we might not understand until the other side of heaven. But God clearly allows evil, so where is the line between “that was evil, ie. murder, and God allowed it” and God sent it for redemption?
I guess in my mind there is a difference between what G-d does (originates) and what He uses (consequences). He can, for example, redeem circumstances, and, most amazing to me, by Yeshua’s death on the cross, He even redeemed death itself, to be used for His purposes. It is astounding to me that because of that, the plan of redemption includes destroying death using death – the second death in that lake of fire at the end of this age (Rev. 20:14). Now THAT is what I call redemption! He took the key playing piece out of the hand of the enemy – death – and is going to use it to destroy that enemy. That has always taken my breath. Evil breeds evil, and the consequences of evil are automatic in a universe with free will; that most mysterious of gifts. The amazing part to me is not that evil exists, but that it can be made to serve the good. Now THAT is amazing!