2 Peter 1:4 speaks of the precious and magnificent promises that God has
granted to us. Last week we saw Scripture that spoke of the character of
these promises and the promises to Believers in Jesus' own words. Today
let's see what Scripture says concerning promises to the afflicted.

King David knew affliction and in the Psalms we see God's mighty
promises for:
*Brighter days:
"For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

*Deliverance:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
But the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19

*Divine care in sickness:
"The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, Thou dost restore him to health." Psalm 41:3

There are promises:
*Of the comfort of God's presence:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you." Isaiah 43:2
And
"Do not fear for I am with you..." Vs. 5

*That all things work for the Believer's good:
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
"For momentary, light afflictions is producing for us an eternal weight of
glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

*Of the sufficiency of divine grace:
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is
perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my
weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
(You all know the story of Paul's thorn in the flesh, if not read Vs. 1-10)

*Of fellowship with Christ's suffering:
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes
upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to
you;
"But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on
rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with
exultation."  1 Peter 4: 12-13

*Of membership in the company of the redeemed:
"And one of the elders answered, say to me, 'These who are clothed in the
white robes, who are they, and from where have the come?'
"And I said to him, 'My lord, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the
ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" Revelation 7:13-14

*Of final deliverance from sorrow:
"And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no
longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or
pain; the first things have passed away." Revelation 21: 4

Yes, as we live in the world, there is affliction, BUT Jesus Himself tells
the disciples, and us, at the end of His farewell discourse in John 16:33,
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world."

As we saw last week, all these glorious promises are grounded in Christ,
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen to the glory
of God..." 2 Corinthians 1:20

Hallelujah and Amen!