Psalm 119:71 is a pointer to one fact: when we are locked down, we should discover what God really wants us to learn at such times. It is amazing to read the Psalmist saying “It Is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71). “It is good” the Psalmist says, “that I have been afflicted”. For what reason? “That I might learn thy statutes”. This is incredible!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. – (Romans 8:28)

The Psalmist knew the benefit of a lockdown. In 2 Samuel 16:5-12, we read about David’s experience when a palace coup was staged against him by his son Absalom. As he was fleeing, a relative of King Saul – Shimei came forth, stoning and cursing David and his entourage. A servant of David, Abishai was enraged and sought permission to kill Shimei but David’s reaction was completely different, as he believed that God was teaching him a lesson through all the problems he was faced with.

And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him.
2 Samuel 16:11.

There are a lot of lessons to learn from the lockdown of David. David believed that God allowed it for a purpose. He did not fight back at the man who cursed and insulted him since his son Absalom, had done worse. He believed that all things would work for his good (Romans 8:28). He taught his followers that the furnace of humiliation would perfect God’s will for his life. Children of God should share this belief for whatever situation they may find themselves in, with faith that all things would eventually work together for their good.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.