Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”  NKJV

I had a person tell me once that if becoming a Christian was a guarantee against problems they would readily accept Christ.  That individual had been witnessed to on numerous occasions by some well-meaning believers who suggested that by accepting Jesus all life’s problems were over.  The Problem of settling our eternal destiny and have access to heaven’s resources to life is provided an answer but if one is to understand that you will never face another battle you are in for a rude awakening.  In fact, in some ways accepting Jesus is the beginning of some major problems, difficulties, afflictions and battles.  At that point the devil declares full scale war on you personally and will do all he can to shipwreck your life.

Now please do not understand me as suggesting the devil is more powerful than he is.  However, I suggest we remember that although the Bible identifies him as a defeated foe it does not declare him no longer existent.  He will attempt to destroy until he is finally thrown in the Lake of Fire.  In fact, the very idea that by becoming a Christian excludes you from problems would call into question the many passages regarding the devil and the weapons of warfare the Lord has provided for us.  If by receiving Christ our problems are over then why bother with weapons you do not need them.

The Psalmist declares that MANY are the afflictions of the righteous.  If that were all he said it would be most depressing and I’ve experienced times when I could almost believe that was the end of the story as wave after wave of demonic attacks came my way.  There have been times when I, like the apostle Paul, almost despaired of life wondering if there would ever be a reprise in the assaults.  Yet deep inside, I clung to the latter portion of the Psalmist’s declaration, “BUT the LORD delivers him out of them ALL…”   When the enemy comes in like a flood I expect God to raise a standard against him.  When I am oppressed I expect the Holy Spirit to come and comfort me.  I take the words of our LORD to heart where He declared in Matthew 11:28 that I can come to Him in my weariness and fatigue from the assault and/or labors of life weighed down under the heavy burden pressed upon me and HE will give me REST.

Trouble will knock on your door from time to time as you traverse from cradle to grave and when it does, if you are a believer, “Lift up your eyes and look to the hills for your help comes from the LORD.”  He has not forsaken you and you can cling to the promise here in Psalm 34 that although you may face many and serious afflictions in life GOD will deliver you out of them all even if that deliverance is taking you out of this world and home.

 May the Lord be with you as you go through this day!  Do not expect a life free of problems but a life filled with promise!   God bless you as you go through your day!