"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant." (Psalm 119:75-76)

Hurricanes, with winds up to 150 miles an hour, accompanied by torrential rains, glaring lightning, and rumbling thunder, can be devastating. Yet, scientists tell us they are tremendously valuable. They dissipate a large percentage of the oppressive heat which builds up at the equator, and they are indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Meteorologists, therefore, no longer use cloud-seeding techniques to prevent them from being formed. They are convinced that hurricanes actually do more good than harm.

Likewise, the afflictions which come upon God's people can be beneficial. Though they bring temporary pain and grief, if we endure, they can produce eternal rewards.