FAITH CAPSULE: When affliction persists it becomes oppression.

Exodus 3, 4

Affliction is defined as a condition of great distress, pain or suffering. Affliction comes in different ways and it could be self-inflicted or enemy-inflicted. Most times, conscious or unconscious disobedience to the word of God is the cause of affliction. The bottom line with the issue of affliction is the truth that God in His goodness and mercy has deliverance in place for anyone who will not misplace the word that delivers from affliction. The Bible states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”(Psalm 34:19) God delivers from all afflictions. The same word of God that promises deliverance from affliction in Psalm 34:19 does not mention what it requires to be delivered from affliction until Proverb 11:9 where it states, “…But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” Unmistakably, without knowledge gained in the word of God, claiming deliverance from affliction will be a mere word of the mouth that is not backed with power. It is knowledge to know to look up unto God and not man for deliverance from affliction. When affliction persists it becomes oppression and when oppression is in place the ability to serve God is either replaced or misplaced. In Egypt, the children of Israel experienced affliction and oppression that made God call for their service unto Him. The experience of the Israelites did not happen in just one day–it was a gradual build up. Affliction will not announce itself and will always take its time before it takes your time away from God. The affliction of the Israelites started when a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, took over as head of Egypt. With the new King, came a new rule which attempted to reduce the population of Israel, It is written, “Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh Supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor.” (Exodus 1:11-13) What is taking you away from your service to God? Whatever is distracting you from serving God is a plan of the enemy to deny you from taking possession of your inheritance among the sanctified. In the pursuit of acquiring money a believer may come under affliction. Affliction can show itself in different and often comfortable ways before it becomes painful and uncomfortable. When it was time for God to deliver the children of Israel, He sent Moses to get them out of affliction and into the land of Canaan. Just as God sent Moses, so He has sent His own dear Son to deliver us from every form of affliction.

Prayer for today: Ask God today to deny all that represents affliction in your life.