Affliction Has An Expiry Date

AFFLICTION HAS AN EXPIRY DATE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Nahum 1:9

Key Verse: “What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.” — Nahum 1:9

Supporting Texts: Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 10:25, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:18

INTRODUCTION:

Affliction is a reality of life in a fallen world. Every believer, no matter how strong, faces seasons of trials, pain, and hardship. But the comforting truth of Scripture is that affliction is not eternal, it is temporary. God uses affliction to shape, strengthen, and prepare His children for greater glory.

Throughout the Bible, we see that God never leaves His people to suffer without end. When His appointed time comes, He steps in to put a full stop to every trouble. Just as there was an end to Israel’s slavery in Egypt and a time limit to Job’s suffering, so also there is an expiry date for every affliction in your life.

When God arises, every affliction bows. The same God who said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people” (Exodus 3:7) is still watching over you. No matter how long the storm has lasted, its time is up. Your season of freedom and divine turnaround has come.

1. GOD IS AWARE OF YOUR AFFLICTION

Before deliverance comes, God first acknowledges your pain.

a) God sees and knows your suffering (Exodus 3:7):

God is never ignorant of your tears. He has recorded every moment of your distress and will act in His perfect time.

b) God is touched by your pain (Hebrews 4:15):

Jesus, our High Priest, understands human suffering. Your affliction moves His heart to compassion.

c) God listens to your cry (Psalm 34:6):

Every sincere prayer from a broken heart gets God’s attention. He will never despise the cry of His people.

d) God prepares deliverance before you know it (Exodus 2:23-25):

Long before Israel realised it, God had already prepared Moses as a deliverer. Your solution is on the way.

Biblical Example: God saw the affliction of Hagar and sent an angel to comfort and provide for her (Genesis 16:7-13).

2. AFFLICTION HAS A DIVINE TIME LIMIT

No matter how fierce it is, affliction cannot last beyond its appointed time.

a) God allows affliction for a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1):

Every pain has its season, and every trial its expiry date. God determines when it begins and when it ends.

b) God sets a boundary to every challenge (Job 38:11):

The waves of affliction may roar, but they cannot go beyond the limit God has set.

c) God will not allow affliction to destroy you (1 Corinthians 10:13):

He ensures that every test you face will not be beyond what you can bear.

d) When the appointed time comes, deliverance is swift (Psalm 126:1-2):

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, it happened suddenly and joyfully.

Biblical Example: The affliction of Israel in Egypt lasted 430 years, but when the time was fulfilled, God brought them out with great power (Exodus 12:40-41).

3. GOD USES AFFLICTION TO BRING GLORY

Affliction often precedes elevation.

a) Affliction refines your faith (1 Peter 1:7):

It purifies your faith like gold, preparing you for greater usefulness in God’s hand.

b) God uses pain to birth purpose (Genesis 50:20):

What others meant for evil, God turns for good to accomplish His divine purpose.

c) Suffering brings you into deeper fellowship with Christ (Philippians 3:10):

Through affliction, you experience the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

d) Glory always follows suffering (Romans 8:18):

The suffering of the present is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed.

Biblical Example: Joseph’s affliction in prison led to his promotion in Pharaoh’s palace (Genesis 41:14).

4. GOD WILL BRING YOUR AFFLICTION TO AN END

Deliverance is certain when God intervenes.

a) God Himself fights for your release (Isaiah 49:25-26):

He contends with those who contend with you and delivers His children from oppression.

b) God’s Word declares a permanent end (Nahum 1:9):

Once God ends a season of pain, it will not rise again.

c) Your affliction becomes a testimony (Psalm 66:12):

You will go through fire and water, but God will bring you into a wealthy place.

d) Praise is the key to ending affliction (Acts 16:25-26):

When Paul and Silas sang praises, the prison doors opened and affliction lost its grip.

Biblical Example: Job’s affliction ended with double restoration — God blessed his latter end more than his beginning (Job 42:10-12).

CONCLUSION:

Affliction is not permanent. It is a visitor with an appointed exit date. No matter what you are going through, know that your story will not end in sorrow. God is too faithful to allow affliction to define your destiny.

Your season of pain is giving way to joy, your tears to laughter, and your struggles to testimonies. The God of all comfort is stepping in to make an utter end. Affliction shall not rise a second time.