Day 112 (Year 3)
The Righteous Have Many Afflictions…
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19 NASB)
The word “righteous” in the above scripture comes from the Hebrew word tsaddiq, meaning “just, right, lawful, or correct.” The word “afflictions” comes from ra’ah, which here also means “injury, distress, misery, or calamity”; in other scriptures, it also means “evil.” So, ra’ah refers to evil and the inevitable calamity it brings. The word “deliver” comes from the Hebrew natsal, meaning here “rescue, recover, snatch away, or deliver (from enemies, trouble, or death).” Conversely, the unrighteous may seem to suffer less, because they live unrestrained, avoid difficulties, and even blame others. Yet even a small affliction can crush the wicked and lead them to destruction.
The righteous inevitably suffer in an evil world, and Satan rarely leaves believers alone, attempting to control us through afflictions and other means. Furthermore, those who love others are more vulnerable to being hurt. Thus, though the righteous do not seek trouble, those who believe in Jesus, on the whole, have more afflictions. But those who do not believe in Jesus can also suffer much. So, what does it matter even if believers suffer a bit more? If we endure a few more with the hope of entering heaven in the future, that is far better than enduring fewer afflictions in this life but only to end up in hell.
When the righteous grow weak and even too weak to focus on prayer, God can deliver us out of His mercy, sometimes through others. We need to cooperate with Him, stay alert to His warnings, and not miss His appointed time. Prolonged suffering can leave people weak, discouraged, and even bitter toward God, thereby resisting His deliverance. But when we endure the afflictions God permits successfully, our faith in Him grows all the firmer. The righteous belonging to God must resolve not to be defeated, crying out for and expecting His deliverance in afflictions, and overcome every crisis. Often, at the final moment when God knows our limit, He will show mercy and deliver us. At times, He releases those under painful torment through death. In any case, calamity, grief, and sorrow will pass, but God’s salvation endures forever. God will surely deliver the righteous and free us from all afflictions.
Reflection questions:
1) Do you have the resolve not to be defeated by any afflictions? If lacking, how will you rely on God to cultivate it?
2) How do you feel knowing that righteous believers may face more afflictions?