God’s Protection Over the Righteous
In the world we live in, the righteous face numerous challenges, yet they rest assured that the Lord God delivers them from every trial. His divine protection is so encompassing that, as the Bible affirms, not even a single bone of the righteous will be broken, symbolizing God’s meticulous care.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19, KJV)
Why Do the Righteous Face Afflictions?
Though it may seem paradoxical, every affliction serves a divine purpose. These trials are not random but are under God’s sovereign control, orchestrated to fulfill His plans.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, KJV)
Nothing in our lives happens by chance; every event aligns with God’s grand purposes, which cannot be thwarted.
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2, KJV)
The Purpose of Suffering
The suffering of the righteous is not confined to spiritual matters; it also manifests in the physical world, directly impacting daily life. Losing a job, for instance, can bring hardship and struggle, but we must understand that every trial has a purpose. Often, for God to bless us, we must endure temporary losses. For the worker who loses their job, the new door God opens will be infinitely greater than the one closed. To embrace new blessings, we sometimes need to let go of the old.
Biblical Examples of the Righteous’ Afflictions
The Bible is filled with stories of righteous individuals who faced afflictions yet experienced God’s deliverance. These accounts inspire us to remain steadfast in faith.
Job: Faithfulness Amid Loss
Job is a quintessential example of a righteous man who endured profound suffering. He lost his wealth, children, and health, yet never turned away from God. Job understood that all he had came from God, and God had the right to take it away. Because of his loyalty and faithfulness, God restored everything twofold.
Joseph: The Path to Blessing
Joseph, through his obedience to God’s principles, faced great afflictions. By refusing to sin with Potiphar’s wife, he was unjustly imprisoned. Before that, he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet, each trial was part of God’s plan to elevate him to governor of Egypt. Joseph’s afflictions paved the way for his blessing.
Moses: Suffering for God’s Purpose
Moses, raised in Pharaoh’s palace, endured hardships in the desert while leading Israel’s liberation. His afflictions were tied to God’s purpose of delivering His people.
Daniel: Deliverance from the Lions’ Den
Daniel, who prayed three times daily, faced afflictions for his faithfulness. Despite the threat of the lions’ den, he remained steadfast, and God miraculously delivered him.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10, KJV)
Abraham: The Test on the Mount of Sacrifice
Abraham, our father in faith, faced deep affliction when called to sacrifice his son Isaac. The anguish of that moment was real, but his obedience led to God’s provision and deliverance.
Remaining Steadfast in God
The greatest challenge for the righteous during suffering is to remain faithful to God. Praising God in times of abundance is easy, but standing firm in pain requires deep love and unwavering trust. Afflictions are temporary, and each one leads us toward a greater purpose.
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3, KJV)
God is always attentive to the cries of the righteous, ready to respond and reveal His plans.
Conclusion: The Lord’s Deliverance
The afflictions of the righteous are part of the process of spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God’s purposes. Like Job, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and Abraham, we are called to trust God amid trials, confident that He will deliver us and lead us to greater blessings. Let us call upon God, stand firm in His promises, and trust that He is in control.
