Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. (Psalm 34:19-20)

No one likes to suffer; no one in their right mind anyway. Yet when we made the decision to follow the Messiah we agreed, consciously or unwittingly, to submit to the trials and tribulations that are part and parcel of this walk. When Messiah challenged us to take up our own cross and follow Him, it was a call to die to everything that our instinct tells us to indulge — not so easy a task. Knowing that suffering is not something we would naturally gravitate toward, our Father arranged or allowed for situations in which we would be afflicted.

When we are afflicted and yet committed to endure the trial, our spirit man is elevated while at the same time the carnal man is suppressed and hopefully eliminated. Furthermore, when we endure affliction, those around us are able to observe how we handle the situation and, assuming we continue to endure faithfully, they are encouraged by our example. Therefore, God continually uses these undesirable situations to bring about His desire for our lives, which is, that His purpose might be fulfilled. As Paul instructed Timothy, “Endure afflictions and fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Though we will never find suffering enjoyable, we should not be shaken by afflictions because, as we know, “we are appointed to this” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). At the same time, we are not appointed to destruction but are destined to obtain abundant life — in this world and the next. As David declared, the Lord will not allow the righteous to be taken down by these afflictions but will deliver us from anything the Adversary would seek to do. We may emerge from it with some bumps and bruises, but not one bone will be broken. So then, in the midst of our trial, let us look unto the Author and Finisher of our faith, knowing that if we keep our eyes on Him, the trial will pass and His Will in our lives will be accomplished.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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