Why does God do things He does not do willingly?

[marke]

We are told in Lamentations 3 that God does not afflict the children of men willingly. What does that mean, considering God is sovereign?

31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.

It means that God has compassion on sinners, not imputing their trespasses unto them and when He brings trouble into the lives of sinners it is for their own good, even if He is pained somewhat to have to do it.

2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

[Right Divider]

We are told in Lamentations 3 that God does not afflict the children of men willingly. What does that mean, considering God is sovereign?

Because "sovereign" does not mean "absolutely controling".

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sovereign

 

[Gary K]

We are told in Lamentations 3 that God does not afflict the children of men willingly. What does that mean, considering God is sovereign?

31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.

It means that God has compassion on sinners, not imputing their trespasses unto them and when He brings trouble into the lives of sinners it is for their own good, even if He is pained somewhat to have to do it.

2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave themreverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for ourprofit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.