The Afflictions of the Righteous
The title of my post this morning may surprise some people. If they have bought into the lie that has been proclaimed in America's brand of Christianity, they believe that the righteous do not have afflictions. This is not a scriptural view. In fact, the opposite is true, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." (Psalm 34:19)
We are not exempt from problems when we become a believer. We may even have more troubles than other people, because Satan stands against all we do in the name of the Lord for His kingdom. Then, we have all of the regular troubles of life, like everyone else, too. The difference is that we have the Lord to walk with us through them and to deliver us out of "all of them." The trials of life make us stronger when we face them by trusting the Lord. They cause our faith to grow, since each time we trust Him for deliverance, it is easier to trust Him again the next time. The people who are hurt by problems are the ones who try to handle them in their own power and their own way.
Now, this doesn't mean we are always healed or always given just what we want. It means that God provides His deliverance. Sometimes, He delivers us from our disease by taking us to heaven. Other times He delivers us from problems at work by giving us another job, but it might come more slowly than we would like. You see what I mean. The afflictions of the righteous are used by God to work "all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 35-37.
We are not exempt from problems when we become a believer. We may even have more troubles than other people, because Satan stands against all we do in the name of the Lord for His kingdom. Then, we have all of the regular troubles of life, like everyone else, too. The difference is that we have the Lord to walk with us through them and to deliver us out of "all of them." The trials of life make us stronger when we face them by trusting the Lord. They cause our faith to grow, since each time we trust Him for deliverance, it is easier to trust Him again the next time. The people who are hurt by problems are the ones who try to handle them in their own power and their own way.
Now, this doesn't mean we are always healed or always given just what we want. It means that God provides His deliverance. Sometimes, He delivers us from our disease by taking us to heaven. Other times He delivers us from problems at work by giving us another job, but it might come more slowly than we would like. You see what I mean. The afflictions of the righteous are used by God to work "all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 35-37.