What does the Bible say about the afflictions of God's people?
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The Bible teaches that afflictions are often used by God to draw His people closer to Him and to reveal their weakness without His strength.
The Psalms illustrate how God uses afflictions to instill a spirit of dependence on Him. For instance, Psalm 102 expresses a deep sense of suffering and acknowledges that our flesh is weak and transient, like grass. God's purpose in allowing such troubles is to remind us of our need for His presence and to draw us to cry out for His mercy. Afflictions are not merely punitive but serve to reshape our understanding of grace, leading us to rely solely on Christ for salvation and strength. Through our struggles, we come to realize that apart from God, we have no strength, highlighting our need to seek His face, which is the source of our peace and salvation.
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