Many are the afflictions of the righteous
Many are the afflictions of the righteous
By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all
The Good News Translation of this verse says: Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all.
There are about 3 key words or phrases that need explanation
- Afflictions / Many troubles
- The righteous / Good people
- Delivereth him out of them all / saves them from them all
Afflictions / Many troubles
There are 2 passages from the book of James that define affliction or Many troubles in the biblical context.
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
According to the passage above affliction or many troubles comes in the form of different temptations. A good example of a temptation can be found in Genesis 39:7-24 where Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. He refused and fled but she accused him falsely and he was put into prison for several years for a crime he did not commit. But the Lord was with Joseph, He delivered him from prison and blessed him abundantly.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord hath promised them that love him.
Another example of temptation can be found in matthew 4:1-11 where Jesus was tempted by the devil. God delivered Jesus and satan had to flee. Note, Jesus survived the temptation because He knew the word of God which He used to fight off satan.
The righteous / Good people
Who are good or righteous people according to the bible. A good example of what God expects from the righteous or good people can be found in the story of the Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37
According to this story a good Samaritan / Righteous man:
- Is one who helps someone in need out of trouble
- Is one who provides money for his food and medications
- Is one who nurses another to good health
Another passage that defines righteous / good people is 2Peter 1:5-9
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacked these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgot that he was purged from his old sins.
A comprehensive and detailed descriptions of a righteous or good people that need no explanation.
Delivereth him out of them all or saves them from them all
Though the afflictions will come, God has promised to deliver / save righteous / good people from all trouble.
Isaiah 41:10 says
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: do not be dismayed, I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. This a is a promise from God to help us through whatever affliction we face. He will deliver / save the righteous / good people from all afflictions.
2 Corinthians 2:14 reads
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.
God will always cause us to triumph in whatever situation we find ourselves.
Think about the words of this song:
Courage brother do not stumble, though thy path be dark as night
There is a star to guide the humble
Trust in God and do the right
Some will hate you
Some will love you
Some will flatter
Some will slight
Cease from man and look above thee
Trust in God and do the right.
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