Afflictions of the Righteous

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This sermon concerns the topic of suffering and why it is experienced by righteous and godly people. It addresses the "myth" that is sometimes expressed implying that godly people should not experience tragedy, adversity or suffering.

Psalm 34:19 ^(NKJV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Introduction:

A little more than a year ago I did a series of Bible studies on Wednesday evenings that I referred to as, “Christian Myths.” These lessons were in no way agreeing with the liberal Bible scholars who proclaim that many of the stories of the Bible are not real, but ancient myths. On the contrary, the lessons were speaking about the “myths” that some people attribute to Christian faith, but have no foundation in Scripture. These “myths” are ideas that people have grown to accept, perhaps on the basis of one or two verses of Scripture, and then have drawn a whole set of conclusions that depart even farther from the actual truth of the Bible.

I had thought I might develop a series of sermons out of the Bible studies, but I’m not sure if I will or not. However, the theme of my message today does relate to one of the errors many Christian people have accepted and could be considered another “Christian Myth.”

The error I am referring to is the “myth” that good people, godly people, or righteous people should not suffer. And, if they do, then it must be that God is punishing them for some reason. The Scripture we are looking at today in Ps. 34:19 tells us as a matter of fact, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to speak to you today concerning the fact of afflictions, the severity of afflictions, and the deliverance from afflictions.

I.      Afflictions are a fact of life.

“affliction” – Heb. word is translated “evil” over 400 times. Anything that can be described as bad or evil.

“righteous” – The word connotes conformity to a moral or ethical standard; “to be straight.” The obvious standard is the nature and will of God (TWOT). (See verses 13-18.)

The question is often raised, “Why do good (righteous) people suffer?” Or, “Why do faithful Christians go through intense testing and trials or afflictions?”

There are at least two answers in the Bible that are related to the matter of improving or enhancing our life of faith:

1) Tests/trials/tribulations, etc. all work together to make us stronger, if we approach them with the right attitude and frame of mind.

James 1:2-3 ^(NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

2) Our experiences give us the “credentials” to offer comfort and assistance to others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ^(NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

There is a third reason why the righteous suffer afflictions. It has nothing in particular with the life of faith, it is just a fact of life. I’ve often said that our world has been drastically affected by the curse of sin. Evil entered our world at the time of Adam & Eve’s disobedience and it has brought innumerable consequences to all of the inhabitants. All types of suffering, tragedy and disaster have plagued our world ever since Adam and Eve were dispelled from the Garden of Eden.  The main reason anyone suffers is because we all live in a fallen world.

Yes, there are times when it is easy to see that tragedy, adversity, etc. are the direct consequence of wrong choices in life. BUT, we can also recognize that there are frequent times when the circumstances we face seem to have no direct connection to bad choices, yet we experience tragedy, disaster and suffering anyway.

Jesus and the apostles all spoke about this fact of life.

John 16:33 ^(NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Acts 14:21-22 ^(NKJV) And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ^(NKJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

2 Timothy 3:10-12 ^(NKJV) But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Hebrews 11:35b-38 ^(NKJV)  And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

In every one of these passages, Jesus and the apostles were speaking directly to believers and disciples when they repeatedly warned about tribulation, affliction, and suffering.

In the passage where our original Scripture text was found, Ps. 34, we read at the very beginning of the Psalm that King David wrote it when he was pretending to be “mad” as he fled from Saul to Abimelech (aka, King Achish of Gath). So, in the contextual setting of this psalm, David is running for his life, realizing he is hunted by a man who wants to kill him. Certainly, he felt that his current “afflictions” were many!

This week I just finished reading a book that I’ve known about most of my life, but I had never read it before – Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. (I highly recommend this book to every Christian.) I know that the sentiments expressed by Rev. Wurmbrand are mutually shared by thousands, and perhaps millions, of Christian believers even today who suffer for their faith. Most of them consider the suffering they endure for Christ as a privilege. And, they have a passion for witnessing to their persecutors that is hard to accurately describe.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ^(NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Afflictions are a fact of life.

II.    Afflictions are severe.

In Ps. 34:19, King David described the afflictions as being “many.”

As I stated earlier, when he was fleeing for his life, running from King Saul, he unquestionably felt like his afflictions were “many” (i.e. all around, on every side).

I think I have referred to this fact in connection with the passage in James 1:2, “…when you fall into divers temptations” (KJV).

The word “divers” is sometimes translated as “various”, but it carries the idea of many-colored, manifold, or motley. Old English word “divers” is probably related to our common word, “diverse.”

Writers have said that James is portraying trials and testing to be all around, on every side and in all shapes and sizes.

I’m quite sure that many of us here have had those times in our lives when that is the feeling we experienced. It just seemed as though we were being pressed on every side with troubles of various kinds.

Afflictions can definitely be severe at times in our lives.

III.   Deliverance from afflictions is possible.

Even in the midst of severe afflictions and trials, King David expressed his faith that God would be his deliverer.

“delivers” – to snatch away; rescue; pluck; or recover.

Ps. 34:19b … But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Remember that David is writing poetry. He is simply expressing his confidence that God takes care of those who belong to Him.

God provides the victory. God will vindicate him.

But… deliverance is not always literally physical, at least when it is understood in the context of the whole Bible.

Sometimes the deliverance is literally and physically in this life. Sometimes the deliverance is specifically spiritual, and sometimes the deliverance is more specifically eternal.

See:

2 Corinthians 4:14 ^(NKJV) [context of vv. 7-9, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed]    ¹⁴ knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

Conclusion:

I have periodically tried to address the topic of adversity and suffering because we all go through those times in our lives when it seems the trials are especially severe.

I hope we have been reminded that we “should not think it strange when we are faced with fiery trials.”

I also hope that we understand that God will provide the grace we need to endure and come through the afflictions of life with victory and a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Let us close our service by singing the closing hymn: God Leads Us Along