I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy Word.
A common condition and an indispensable blessing
I. A condition that is common to man. How varied the afflictions of men, personal and social, physical and mental--disease, poverty, bereavement, oppression, etc. Our human afflictions may be divided into two classes.
1. The penal. All the sufferings of wicked men come on them as righteous punishment.
2. Disciplinary. To the genuine disciples of Christ afflictions are the chastisements of the Father.
II. A blessing that is indispensable to man. The quickening of the spiritual nature, the soul.
1. In faith. Faith in God.
2. In love. Supreme love to the supremely good.
3. In hope. Hope for a complete transformation into the image of his God. (Homilist.)