The Purpose of Affliction by U. P. Long

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

The Purpose of Affliction

By U. P. Long

U. P. LONG

ELIPHAZ truly said, “Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground.” Job 5: 6. The afflictions of the righteous do not come upon them by accident or chance. The Lord reigneth! He ever sees and knows the trials of his children and intervenes and controls in their behalf. Job 1: 10; Ps. 91: 11, 12. His angels keep watch over his children, delivering them from every assault of Satan. They permit his attacks only when the intended harm can be overruled for the good of God’s servants. Job 34: 23. Otherwise the Lord withdraws the affliction, heals up the wound, and his hands make whole. He will not lay upon man more than is right, and he shares in all the afflictions of his children, ever suffering with them. Isa. 63: 9.

He has a purpose in these afflictions. Job 5: 17. They are for our correction, that we may return to the path of right.

God speaks to us by his Word, and even by visions and dreams, but we do not heed. Then he permits affliction to come upon us. We are chastened by sickness and severe pain. We become emaciated, our bones stick out, and we draw very near death. He does this only that he may open our ears, so dull of hearing, and that he may withdraw man from his proud purposes, and preserve him from destruction. See Job 33: 14-30.

“Lo, all these things worketh God ofttimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.” Job 33: 29, 30.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Ps. 34: 19.