Victory through Affliction (Ps 34:19)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all - Psalm 34:19

If the Bible was written according to the desires of man, this verse would surely say "few are the afflictions of the righteous." But since this is God's Word, we read "many are the afflictions of the righteous."

First, we must acknowledge that this was not God's original design. In Earth 1.0 there was no affliction whatsoever. It was only after man decided to cut himself off from his source of divinity by disobeying God that affliction came into our world.

As a result, we have inherited an upside down, inverted world where evil is called good and good is called evil. What else should we expect from a world that satan is called the "ruler" of (John 12:31)?

The divine pattern revealed throughout scripture is this: the more righteous a man is, the more affliction he will attract to his life.

Abel was murdered by Cain. Joseph was disowned by his brothers. David was persecuted by Saul.

Jesus Christ, the very incarnation of Righteousness itself, was mocked, ridiculed, span upon, and murdered as He took upon Himself the consequences of mankind's sin.

There has been no man more righteous than Christ, and there has been no man more afflicted than Christ. But there has also been no man more highly exalted than Christ.

The reason the righteous face affliction is because righteousness and sin cannot coexist peacefully with one another. We live in a world of sin and we are called to live a life of righteousness.

But thanks be to God, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have been given victory over every affliction facing mankind past, present, and future.

Through Christ not only are we given victory over our afflictions, but these afflictions transform into the very mechanisms by which His glory becomes manifest.

It is natural to be at peace when the waters are calm.

It is supernatural to be at peace when the waves are raging.

It is natural to have joy when circumstances are good.

It is supernatural to have joy when circumstances are bleak.

It is natural to love those who love you.

It is supernatural to love those who hate you.

The Christian's disposition is not dictated by his circumstances, his disposition is dictated by the Truth revealed by the Cross. The Christian does not look to his life for joy, he looks to His life for joy.

Resurrection life is available to us all. But we first must follow Christ to the Cross and die to this world.

If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself

and take up his cross daily

and follow me

Luke 9:23