Psalm 119:65-72 You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of
gold and silver pieces.

I. God’s Word gives us a right understanding about affliction.

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II. Seek spiritual discernment before, during, and after the storm.

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III. Satan wants to destroy your faith.

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IV. God is good even in the storm.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Have you ever had to exercise the art of Spiritual Discernment in your interactions with others (regarding Jesus or the Word of God?)
2. Can you see how suffering and affliction could be a reason for someone to doubt God’s goodness? What would you say to that person?
3. Has pain or affliction ever caused you to doubt God’s goodness? How did you respond?
4. Discuss this statement: “Suffering is one of the greatest apologetics for the Christian faith.”
5. Has God ever taught you a hard lesson in the middle of a hard season?
6. Discuss how affliction can be used (by the Lord) to build you up (as well as the devil) to tear you down?

Next Week’s Message: The Judgments of the Lord