"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" Ps. 119:71

Often times while we are in the midst of affliction it is our cry to our Heavenly Father that He would remove the affliction from us. That is what makes this such a profound statement; "It is good for me that I have been afflicted". History tells us the author of Psalm 119 was Ezra, no doubt living in Babylonian captivity was a very trying experience for any child of God, that had set himself to seek and know the God of his fathers. After 70 years of Babylonian captivity there were probably many who had forgotten the God of their fathers, and that would be lonely for Ezra. It is a sad day when the children of God forget their own Father. Alas; it is so though,and many times we will have no companion like Faithful along the road to the celestial city, but although we walk alone we still must walk. At these times of trial don't give up, if the Lord has put you there, he will always know where you are. The most beautiful diamond the world has ever seen started out as a lump of coal that was put under tremendous pressure for an extended period of time. The troubles that you face as a believer are by a certain design of your Father, so don't lose heart when everything is going awry, remember "it is good". Ezra learned a great deal of respect for the word of God in the midst of affliction, so much to even call it his lamp and light in the weariness of this world. Many times this trying is just what we need to wake us up , and renew that desire within us for the word of God. Often times it is in the midst of trials that we will learn the statutes, or ways of God far better than in times of ease, for in the midst of trials we can see clearly the faithfulness of our Father, and know that every move he makes is all because he loves us. Whatever trial you may face, weary pilgrim, take courage for; "we know that all things work together for good..." (Rom 8:28)