specultaion

"I am afflicted by all Your waves," "be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted," "Your hand of affliction was heavy upon me," ... humble your servant."

Spreading its fingers throughout the pages of Hebrew songs is the ever present cry to God concerning one's affliction and the dual request that one be made more humble. This word, this terrible Hebrew word, is the same word. I've spent all morning searching it out in the songs and poetry of the Old Testament. When David and others ask, "Yahweh, humble me," it is request for affliction from the Lord. Why would the psalmists desire this?

I have one speculation-

When the affliction you receive is from the Lord, you are safe. You have nothing to fear. If I ask for God to give me humility, to bring upon me His affliction, I will endure. I can then look at anything that the world might bring my way, whatever Satan may try me with, and fearlessly, scoffingly, say, "bring it on."

"In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"