Affliction Shall Not Rise A Second Time

The last few weeks of 2017 has been rough for my family, both at the physical and spiritual levels. In a bid to unravel the root cause of one of the many issues I was dealing with, which seemed like a repetitive cycle, I prayed and asked God to reveal why I was facing this particular issue again. God seemed silent, and so I wondered if it was due to something I had done wrong. A scripture came to mind after spending time in prayer. But I couldn't recall where in the Bible to locate this scripture. What I remember was, "this affliction shall not resurrect a second time." Typically, I would google a phrase from what I recall to see if I could locate it. However, in this instance, I didn't think much about it. After worrying about the situation and about God's silence for a while, I decided to commit to fasting and prayer. During the wait on God, the scripture came once again, but this time, through a sermon. The sermon was one preached by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, titled, "Hold on to God in time of trouble."

Now, the word of God tells us in Deuteronomy 19:15b, "...at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (KJV). After this second witness, I knew that this was indeed God speaking to let me know that it really isn't because I had done anything wrong, but for HIS glory to be revealed! Isn't our God Good? Indeed, God is a Good Good Father!

But you may ask, why am I writing about this? Well, over the past few days, I have felt strongly that this message wasn't for me alone, but it could also be for someone reading this. And to that person, I believe God wants me to tell you this: Whatever afflicted you before shall not rise a second time. Every ugly trial you once passed through shall not come back a second time. All the tears you have shed shall not come back a second time. Every shame you have borne shall not come back a second time. 

Let's read the exact scripture below:

Nahum 1:7-13 (KJV)
"(7) The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.  (8)  But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.  (9)  What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.  (10)  For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.  (11)  There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.  (12)  Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.  (13)  For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder."

I encourage you to take the time to study Nahum 1. I am confident that if this message is also for you, God will reveal certain things directly to you. 

But why do we face rough times, you may ask. Answering this question often takes us in different dimensions. It is not surprising that we ask God if we did something wrong when we encounter trials and afflictions in our lives. There is a high tendency for most Christians to associate unpleasant situations with either our own sins or sins committed by our ancestors. One time, Jesus and his disciples encountered a blind man, and the disciples asked Jesus who sinned. Listen to Jesus' response in the following scripture:

John 9:1-3 (KJV)
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

But sometimes, the trials and afflictions we encounter may have occurred due to sin in our lives, which is because of our fallen nature. Earlier in the account of John's Gospel, we read about another man with an infirmity for 38 years who encountered Jesus. We read below:

John 5:1-3; 5-9; 14 (KJV)
(1)  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (2)  Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. (3) In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water....(5)  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. (6)  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (7)  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. (8)  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. (9)  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.... (14)  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The question one may ask is, why did Jesus tell this man to "sin no more, otherwise a worse thing will happen to him?" That statement from Jesus tells us that there is also a link between afflictions and sins. What is important to note, however, is that the two scriptures we read in the Gospel of John reveal something about the God we serve - that no matter the cause of the trials and afflictions we face, these situations should be viewed as opportunities for God to manifest His grace in our lives. 

Beloved in Christ, whether we like it or not, trials and afflictions are part of the Christian walk. Listen to what Job says in the scripture below:

Job 5:6-11 (KJV)
(6)  Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; (7)  Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (8)  I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: (9) Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: (10)  Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: (11)  To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

Whatever you may be going through, I would like you to know that as long as you commit your cause to God, you are in safe hands. Trust Him and continue to live in holiness. But when trials and afflictions come, understand that whether you did wrong or did nothing for that situation to occur, He makes provision for your total deliverance. For our God can lift you high when you are low and exalt you to safety when in pain.

God bless you, richly!