Psalm 34:19 states:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
The psalm that includes this verse is where David reflects on his own deliverances, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the care God shows the righteous. It serves as a reminder to keep faith, do good, and trust God’s plan, even when life is difficult.
Scriptures tell us that man’s life on earth consists but of a few days and those are full of trouble (Job 14:1). We live in a fallen world, and afflictions are a part of this world. As Christians, we must remember that difficulties are normal here and not a sign that God has abandoned us. For no one born on this earth is free from trouble. Even the most righteous person is not guaranteed a trouble-free life. Looking at Job’s life, we learn that righteousness doesn’t prevent suffering. Godly people do face pain, emotional struggles, persecution, and physical problems like others.
God, our Father, does not just allow anything to happen haphazardly to His children. Sometimes the righteous suffer afflictions because we are being refined and transformed. At times there is a need for purging, purifying, instructing, improving, and chastening to rid us of the defilement of sin which still clings to us and from which we are never wholly freed while we continue on this earth.
Even Christians can easily feel overwhelmed by the many afflictions that come our way—health issues, financial struggles, relational conflicts, and more. There may be days when you feel your afflictions outnumber those of the ungodly. However, in the midst of these challenges, the promise of deliverance seen in this Scripture stands firm. Also, we know at least all our troubles are confined to this life.
If we just focus on the first part of this verse about our afflictions, knowing that they are many, could cause us to slip into depression or discouragement. But look at the latter part of this verse:
“…but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Hallelujah! Praise God! The sun just burst through the dark clouds!
Isn’t it reassuring that we are God’s children, and we can expect God’s deliverance.
Our Father sees our afflictions and promises to deliver us out of them all. This truth is repeated throughout the Bible, reminding us that God is faithful to His promises. He is our shield, our fortress, our high tower, our deliverer, our strength, our banner, our provider, our healer, our way maker, our redeemer, our Savior and more!
Even though righteous people experience many troubles and hardships, God promises to deliver them from all of them. Not necessarily by removing the afflictions instantly, but by giving strength, guidance, faith, endurance, and ultimate rescue. Thus, showing that suffering isn’t a sign of God’s displeasure, but a reality in a broken world. It’s a message of hope, affirming God’s faithfulness to rescue His people through trials. That is, in time, when it will be best for them to be so delivered, He will do so through immediate intervention bringing relief, or through gradual change developing inner strength and character, or through ultimate redemption in eternity. In this we can rejoice knowing our Father will both support us in the midst of our trials and will also put an end to them when he hath sufficiently accomplished His will. Praise God that we do not have to bear them alone.
The verse encourages trust in God’s presence and power, even when overwhelmed, for He will deliver us. It reminds us that even in the midst of our afflictions, God is working on our behalf. He is truly our deliverer, our refuge, and our strength. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust that God is with us, guiding us through every trial. We are not alone in our struggles. God is always with us, ready to deliver us from every affliction we face. The problem is that we are blinded many times to His presence or we do not call upon Him in faith.
As mere humans, we do not understand God’s allowance of afflictions. We can be puzzled by life’s turns and twists. Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). We too are perfected (matured) through suffering and carrying our cross as well. But whatever afflictions we suffer, our spirits and souls are being fortified beyond measure. Second Corinthians 4:16-18 states:
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We have special protection from the Lord even though we have our share of afflictions. Whatever does come upon us, if we keep our trust in Jesus, it will not ultimately crush our souls and spirits. Because our Deliverer has risen from the dead, we too shall rise someday, forever free from sin, sickness, sorrow, suffering, and even death! Hallelujah!
Paula is compassionately committed to biblically teach and mentor women who desire to be renewed in their minds by God’s eternal Word so their destinies will become a reality. She goes beyond sharing biblical principles to practical application for everyday living.
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