Ezra 9:13. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

Prayers to Obtain Comfort

If in our affliction we would pour forth to God such acceptable prayers as may obtain comfort in our crosses and deliverance from our calamities, we must confess our sins, and humbly acknowledge that we have not deserved God’s smallest benefits, but are worthy to be overwhelmed with much more heavy plagues and punishments.  And so the Lord will excuse us, when we accuse ourselves.  – George Downame – Taken from A Puritain Golden Treasury by I.D.E. Thomas

You Don’t Have it All That Bad

When it comes down to it, you don’t have it all that bad. If you got what you deserved for all of the foolishness and sin you have sown, you would be in a lot worse shape than you think you are in. There are many who say, “God, how could you let this happen to me … What did I do to deserve this?” When someone says that, they are not being very honest with others or themselves. Like Ezra, we would have to say that God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve.

Humility is Required

When you are in affliction, and you are asking for God’s comfort and deliverance, you need to confess your sin and tell God that you deserve far worse than whatever affliction God is putting you through.  That requires humility.  You have to be honest with yourself and God.  You need to admit how wicked you really are, and then be thankful for whatever grace that God does give you.  Even God’s smallest benefit is more than you deserve as Downame says.

Quit Making Excuses For Yourself

You need to quit making excuses for yourself.  When we quit making excuses and confess our sin, God can then excuse us from the little bit of trial and affliction He puts us through. That is what God was waiting for in Job’s life. He wanted him to be honest with God. He wanted him to admit his pride. Can you be thankful for whatever little grace God has shown in your life? Can you be humble and admit that you deserve far worse than anything God has brought upon you? That is what God wants. He wants you to admit that you don’t have it all that bad, and that you deserve far worse.