“When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines.” —Samuel Rutherford
In hard times I may think, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,” but here’s the fact: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Cor 10:13, BSB). You’ve never been tackled by a problem that someone else hasn’t grappled with before you. Trouble is a dominant theme in Psalm 119. Watch for words like “enemies,” “persecuted,” “reproach,” “contempt,” and “evildoers.” I count 66 verses that address the psalmist’s trials. But he takes his time in coming to the point. In fact, the first 20 verses show not even a hint of trouble. That’s as it should be. We mustn’t be quick to inflict our anguish on others. But he does feel free to cast his burden on the Lord. That’s a good thing. Let’s follow one dark thread through the psalm, looking at “affliction.” It occurs in seven verses. The first one immediately shows both the problem and the solution. “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (v 50). What exactly is “This”? The psalmist has found a pillow for his weary head—“the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope” (v 49). Affliction is easier to bear with the end in sight. That’s hope! But it wasn’t just any scripture—it was a special word from the Lord. As well, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (v 67). How often tough times bring us back to the Lord! Thus he concludes, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (v 71). “I know,” he adds, “that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (v 75). That’s spiritual maturity. And heavenly delights help soothe the pain of earthly trials (v 92). When we are “afflicted very much,” nothing but heavenly revival will do (v 107), so don’t forget to cry to the Lord for help (v 153)!