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Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:17-20, KJV)

Suffering is part of this life; however, not all suffering is unavoidable. Many Christians are facing problems that they themselves have created. When a believer dabbles in sin, problems can arise. In these cases, it is not God that is “punishing” his children, sin itself brings death and destruction in some form.Psalm 107:17-20 teaches three important lessons related to the issue of suffering: afflictions can be caused by sin, God will rescue his people when they call upon him, and God frequently provides deliverance through his word. 

Jesus paid for the ultimate penalty of sin; those who trust in him will never face eternal damnation. However, sin still has a price. When God’s children disobey him, they open a door in which calamity can enter into their lives. Sin has a negative and destructive effect on the lives of believers. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-12).

God will rescue his children even when they are walking in disobedience if they will turn away from their sin and call upon him. God will not abandon his children and say, “That is what you get for not following my word.” When we come to God confessing our sins, he will cleanse us from that sin and restore our fellowship with him. God will never take away our eternal life, but sin can produce a barrier between God and his children.

“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:” (Matthew 8:16). God still uses his word to deliver his people. And Christians have been given the responsibility to speak God’s word, in faith, energized by the Holy Spirit. Many times God will send us a word to deliver us out of a situation, but it is up to us to speak that word in faith. God will sometimes have another believer intercede on our behalf, but God’s system requires that his word be received in faith. God created all that there is by his word. Do not underestimate the power of God’s word, and do not neglect to use the power that is in your words when they are backed by the Holy Spirit. “And the Lord said, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you” (Luke 17:6).

Seek to walk in godly wisdom so that you are not entrapped by your own sin. If you find yourself in a situation that is caused by your own transgressions, repent of those sins and seek God’s intervention. Finally, wait on a word from God to bring deliverance into your life. When that word comes, believe it and confess it until you experience the victory.