Scripture:
19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
[20] He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
[21] Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
[22] The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Observation:
Even the righteous will be afflicted.. a lot
But God.. but by His timing, the Lord delivers the righteous out of all pain and suffering
True believers have been released from the bondage of sin and death
Application:
How often to we question God when we’re going through pain and suffering? We may ask – Why me? I love and worship You. I have been trying to follow Your will. Why am I being afflicted when it seems that so-and-so is living the high life and he doesn’t even know You, much less revere You?
The answer to why me? may have something to do with what God is having me learn from the pain. As much s we may hate to hear it, we know that we grow stronger through our pain and suffering. We may be growing into the person God wants us to be. This will be different for each of us but use the experience, use the pain, use the suffering to strengthen the Kingdom.
As far as so-and-so goes, we should probably not worry about that person but as David says in verse 21, that person will be condemned if they don’t repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
We won’t read anywhere in the Bible that the righteous will not be afflicted. In fact, we read the opposite. As true believers, we will endure much suffering. But God is omnipotent and always in control, even when allowing us to suffer. We need to use it, grow from it, and praise Him through it.
Find peace and comfort in knowing what we are redeemed.
Prayer:
Lord I love You. You are my refuge and my strength. Lord I expect affliction in this life. Help me find Your purpose as I go through the pain and suffering you allow. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen