The afflictions of the righteous

The Bible tells us a lot about affliction and the book of Psalms is an expert talking about these issues. David went through many tribulations, many times he felt abandoned by God, but he knew that God in whom he believed never departed from him and in the same way we have to believe that God accompanies us in all our tribulations and that when we see that He is far away is when He is closest to us.

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The Reality of Affliction

The psalmist said:

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34:19-22

The psalmist says: “The righteous person may have many troubles.” The question is: Why are they many? They are many because we live in a world full of injustice, where evil is increasing, where humanity prefers darkness rather than light. In such a world, it is difficult to live righteously, and this naturally attracts affliction.

And this is not only true for David’s time—it is true for us today. Carrying the name “Christian” often means living differently, resisting sin, and walking against the current. This alone brings opposition, misunderstanding, and hardship. But even so, the psalmist gives us a powerful truth: though the righteous have many afflictions, the Lord delivers them from them all.

Why Do the Righteous Suffer?

This is one of the most common questions believers ask: If we follow God, why do we suffer? The answer is not simple, but Scripture gives us clarity. We suffer because we live in a fallen world, because sin has affected everything around us, and because walking in righteousness often puts us in opposition to the values of this world.

Jesus Himself warned His followers that they would face tribulation. The apostles experienced persecution, rejection, and suffering. Yet none of this meant that God had abandoned them. On the contrary, their suffering became the stage where God’s power was revealed.

Suffering, then, is not a contradiction to faith—it is often part of it. It is in affliction that faith is tested, refined, and strengthened.

God’s Presence in Our Pain

David experienced moments where he felt alone, where it seemed as if God had hidden His face. Yet he never abandoned his trust. He understood something that we must also learn: God’s presence is not determined by our feelings.

There are times when God feels distant, but in reality, He is closer than ever. When we are broken, He draws near. When we are weak, His strength is made perfect.

Psalm 34 reminds us that God is near to the brokenhearted. This means that our pain is not ignored. Our tears are not wasted. Every moment of suffering is seen by God, and in those moments, He is actively working in ways we may not yet understand.

The Purpose Behind Affliction

Affliction is not meaningless. God uses it with purpose. Though we may not always understand why we are going through certain situations, we can trust that God is doing something deeper in us.

Trials refine our character. They teach us dependence. They remove pride and self-reliance. They remind us that our hope is not in this world, but in God. Affliction has a way of stripping away what is temporary and pointing us toward what is eternal.

Many times, it is through suffering that we grow the most. It is through difficulty that we learn to pray more, trust more, and cling more tightly to God.

God’s Deliverance: What Does It Mean?

When David says that God delivers the righteous from all their troubles, we must understand what this means. It does not necessarily mean that we will never face problems. It means that no problem will have the final word.

Sometimes God delivers by removing the situation. Other times, He delivers by giving us strength to endure. And in some cases, He delivers by transforming our perspective so that we can walk through the trial with peace.

Deliverance is not always about escape; it is about God’s presence and power in the midst of the situation.

The Faithfulness of God Through History

God delivered many men in the Bible from great afflictions, and this serves as a great consolation for us. The same God who acted in the past is the same today.

Joseph was delivered from betrayal and prison. Daniel was delivered from the lions. The three Hebrews were delivered from the fire. Paul was delivered from countless persecutions. These are not just stories; they are testimonies of God’s character.

If God was faithful then, He will be faithful now. His power has not diminished, and His care has not changed.

Christ at the Center of Our Suffering

Psalm 34 also points us to Christ. The mention that “not one of his bones will be broken” finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. He suffered on the cross, bearing our sins, and yet fulfilled every word of Scripture.

This reminds us that God is not distant from suffering—He entered into it. Christ experienced pain, rejection, and death. Because of this, we know that God understands our struggles in a personal way.

We do not serve a God who is unfamiliar with suffering, but one who has conquered it.

Affliction in a Fallen World

Living in this world means that afflictions will come in many forms: injustice, illness, betrayal, financial struggles, emotional pain, and spiritual battles. No one is exempt from this reality.

For the believer, following Christ may even increase certain challenges. Choosing righteousness often means going against cultural norms, resisting temptation, and standing firm in truth. This can lead to rejection or difficulty.

Yet, every affliction has purpose when we remember that God is using it. He is shaping us, strengthening us, and drawing us closer to Himself.

Hope That Sustains Us

For this reason, the believer can face affliction with hope. Not because the pain is small, but because our God is great. Not because the road is easy, but because the One who walks with us is faithful.

Hope does not deny suffering—it looks beyond it. It sees that God is working, even when we cannot see how. It trusts that every trial has an end, and that God’s purposes will prevail.

Our story does not end in suffering—it ends in victory.

Final Reflection: Trusting God in Every Trial

The righteous may have many afflictions, but the Lord delivers them from them all. This truth should fill our hearts with confidence and peace.

No matter what we face, we are not alone. God is with us. He sees us, He strengthens us, and He will not abandon us.

Let us trust Him in every season. Let us hold firmly to His promises. And let us remember that every affliction, no matter how great, is under the authority of a greater God.

For in Him, we find strength for today, hope for tomorrow, and the assurance that His glory will be revealed in our lives.