Whenever the righteous are afflicted, the aftermath is to showcase the power and glory of God. As in the case of Lazarus who was sick unto death (John chapter 11 verses 1&6), but Jesus said in verse 40 that it was for God's name to be glorified. However, our attitude and disposition matters during the time of affliction. From the same book of John chapter 11, there were two different characters, Mary and Martha sisters (siblings) of Lazarus who was sick. They sent for Jesus but He delayed and eventually their brother died. Later, Jesus went there with His disciples. These two women had different attitude and disposition to the same situation, and definitely they had different results. Martha arose in haste to meet Jesus and confronted Him about her brother's death. Despite Jesus elaborate exhortation on the resurrection power that is so viable (potent) to bring the dead back to life (verse 25) and to keep the living from dying (verse 26), she went headlong with her argument, she never truly believed that her brother would rise again as Jesus told her in verse 23. Her reaction was negative and nothing meaningful came out of their discussion. Unfortunately, Martha was indecisive and she had a vague understanding of who Jesus is. She lacked the true knowledge of His abilities and capabilities. So, she left Jesus and went back home to inform Mary about Jesus arrival. However, it was only the disposition of Mary that changed everything. In verse 32, she fell down at His feet, remember they both spoke the same words (compare verse 21 and 32) "Lord, if you have been here, my brother would not have died." When Mary spoke and wept with other Jews around her weeping, Jesus groaned and wept. Mary wasn't casual like her sister Martha, but she had the virtue and decorum to approach the Master. The bible recorded that she did one thing that her sister never did. In verse 32, "Then when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Mary placed no further demand on Jesus but waited for His response. Jesus couldn't hold back His tears, so, He commanded the stone to be rolled away, then the Jews noted and said, "See how much He loved him! Little did they know that it was Mary's attitude that captured the Master and changed everything.
The real pursuit, desire and goal of any serious Christian should be to make heaven at last. So, when God passes us through tests, trials, afflictions and tribulations to burn off the chaffs in our lives, prune us, bring out His beauty in us, we must love Him, reference and honour Him knowing that all things are working together for our good though the situation may be unpleasant. The way to heaven is narrow and as Jesus said, not so many people want to go through it (few there be that find it). Even a song writer wrote, "it's not an easy road." Satan has set many traps for believers but God has enough grace to see us through to the other side of eternity. To be an overcomer and truly triumph in spite of life's trials, battles, persecutions and afflictions, it will require that one stays helplessly focused on God like Mary did, drawing strength from Him continually. It will only take a quiet assurance of His presence and power to sustain us. And we need to know that whatever we may suffer here on earth, the bible calls them "our light affliction which is but for a moment, and not only that but it worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Therefore, we need not be disturbed by the present unseemly physical circumstances. The devil as we know is fighting everyone, no one is exempted. The enraged dragon according to Revelation 12:17 is out to trouble and attack, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." And as we are leaving the city of destruction (spiritual Egypt-a place of bondage), on a voyage to our eternal destination, that is heaven, our promised land (our spiritual Canaan land), just like the children of Israel we are bound to pass through the wilderness (this present evil world). Temptations, trials, persecutions, afflictions and so on are many and abound on the way of the true pilgrims. That's why the persecuted church was admonished in Revelation chapter 2 verse 9, "I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of those who say they were Jews and were not, but are a synagogue of Satan."
Jesus, in His preparation for the final phase of His assignment on earth, needed Moses, the law commander (Deuteronomy 33:4), and Elijah, the prophet to appear to Him to succor and encourage Him because of what He was about to face. The account in Luke 9:31 vividly showed that Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus. These were unique personalities, men with rare grace and anointing (ministers and servant of the living God in the old testament). Both Moses and Elijah had their own share of affliction while here on earth, so, they came to comfort Him having passed through similar experiences. Moses taught the children of Israel the law and the commandment of God. He introduced the living God to them but he nearly missed heaven because the people whom he loved and led out of Egypt provoked him and made him sinned against God. However, God had mercy on him and buried him. God buried him else the children of Israel who were responsible for his failure and inability to enter Canaan land would have turned his tomb to another place of worship (idolize) him. God denied him entry into Canaan land because he spoke harshly, he did not reference God before the children of Israel, and he smote the rock twice instead of touching it ( Numbers 20: 7-12, 27:14, Deuteronomy 3:26, 34: 4-6).
Elijah on the other hand, demonstrated the raw power of God, he proved to the people that the Lord He is God. On mount Carmel when he called on God, a miracle happened, fire fell from heaven, and he executed the 450 prophets of Baal. When Jezebel the queen heard all that he had done, she pronounced death on him because she purposed to revenge for the killing of the prophets of Baal. So, Elijah fled for his life, depressed, dejected and lonely (1 King 19:2-4). Elijah was also burdened, overwhelmed and distressed because of the idolatrous situation in the land that he even wished to die. And it will take God's counsel and intervention to sustain him. God fed him through the ravens and he received divine strength. Later, God took him up to heaven in a chariot of fire. However, Jesus came to reconcile men back to God and to establish the new covenant because both Moses and Elijah operated under the old covenant. He healed the sick, cast out demons, preached the gospel and did a lot of miracles. Yet, for no justifiable cause they decided to kill Him. The elders, priests, Sadducees and Pharisees were threatened by His exploits and would not have Him to rule over them. Jesus knew that He would die for it was part of the redemption plan. And His shed blood would be the seal of the new covenant. Although Elijah had no earthly burial, but Jesus will have to die, He would be buried but resurrect. Moses and Elijah therefore appeared to Him in glory because they triumphed and overcame at last. The time of affliction is also the time we need to move closer to God in prayer. All the saints in the bible for example Abraham, Daniel (Daniel 6:1-17), Joseph (Genesis 37:24-28, 39:20), Job (Job 4:7-10), Jeremiah (Lamentation 3:1, 26, 52-57, 61-62), Paul (2 Timothy 3:11, 2 Corinthians 4:7-10) and so on in the Bible at one time or the other had trials and afflictions. Afflictions are sure to come to heaven bound saints (Psalm 34:19).
Affliction will turn to our advantage if we do not despair. Faith is always established, improved and multiplied by affliction when we realize that God, the designer, creates and executes His projects and plans for His creation. In the book of Exodus chapter 15 verses 1-21, the children of Israel sang and praised God for His intervention. Who would have known that there is a God that can avenge His own children. For God arose on behalf of His beloved ones, all the world feared because with His outstretched arms He brought them out of affliction in Egypt. God brought numerous plagues on the Egyptians, for instance, there was light in Goshen but darkness in Egypt for three days. The darkness was so thick that it could be felt. They have already seen the wrath of God after all they've been through. The Egyptians were still mourning the loss of their first born and the first born of their animals when they encouraged themselves to bring the children of Israel back into bondage and affliction. The Egyptians stubbornly pursued the children of Israel but God undertook for them. God parted the red sea for them to cross over but their enemy who had continuously afflicted them for over 400 years sank as lead inside the sea. Troubles that believers overcome often become a stepping stone to higher ground. And the more trouble believers face, the more the opportunity to demonstrate the victory of God through faith (Isaiah 63:9). However, when affliction come we can sing as the song writer succinctly put:
I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys.
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through,
For if I'd never had a problem I wouldn't know that He could solve,
I'd never know what faith in God can do
Chorus
Through it all(2x), I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God
Through it all (2x), I've learned to depend upon His word.
When you set out to please God, people will speak about you, gossip, even plot evil against you. Also, when God begins to promote you, people will be jealous of you as it happened to Isaac in Genesis 26:1-3. But the more they envied and afflicted him, the more he prospered. At times, affliction permitted by God is intended to restore the backslider (Hosea 5:15, 6:1), correct the disobedient and self-willed (Jonah 2:1-2, Lamentation 3:39, Proverbs 3:11), prune, test or refine (Romans 5:3, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Psalm 66:10-12, Proverbs 24:16). God allow some circumstances in our lives so that we could pray. However, the worst thing that causes affliction is sin. Sin is a stubborn stain! There is serious danger and trouble if Judah have to go into captivity. Judah went into captivity slaving away with terrible affliction ( Lamentation 1:5) and the reason for her captivity was sin. In verse 9, immorality, evil passion, physical and spiritual adultery brought her desolation, she was blinded to destiny and she mortgaged her destiny because of sin. To worsen her situation, she had no rest, she was spoiled and robbed by the enemies, her pleasant things were stolen and persecutors overcame her in dire straits (verse 10). Unfortunately, the enemy prevailed over her (verse 16). Therefore, sin(s) must be repented of if found to be the cause of affliction.
