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.

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 them many? Well, they are many because we live in a world full of injustice, where evil is increasing, where humanity prefers evil rather than good, and in such a world it is difficult to live and this attracts multitudes of afflictions. And this is for us today, carrying this title of Christian makes us restrain ourselves from many things and of course, this brings many afflictions to our lives, but, best of all, the psalmist says that even though the righteous people have many afflictions, the Lord will deliver us of all of them.

God delivered many men of the Bible from great afflictions and that should serve as a consolation, that this same God is the same today and is there to free us from all our afflictions, regardless of the difficult time we are going through.

Afflictions are not strange to the Christian life; in fact, Scripture constantly reminds us that believers will face difficulties, trials, and sorrows. David himself, despite being a man after God’s own heart, endured persecution, betrayal, loneliness, and moments of deep emotional anguish. Yet in all of that, he continued to lift his eyes toward the Lord, knowing that his hope did not rest in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. His life teaches us that suffering does not mean abandonment, nor does hardship mean defeat; rather, it often becomes the very place where God’s presence becomes more evident and His help more real.

Psalm 34 is one of the most comforting chapters for those who are suffering because it reminds us that God is near to the brokenhearted. The righteous may face many troubles, but God does not allow them to walk alone. He delivers, sustains, and protects. The mention that “not one of his bones will be broken” not only reflects God’s protection over the righteous but also points prophetically to Christ, who suffered on our behalf and yet fulfilled this Scripture at the cross. This connection reassures us that even in our suffering, God’s purposes are being fulfilled and His care is never absent.

Living in a fallen world means that afflictions will come in different forms: injustice, illness, betrayal, financial pressure, emotional pain, spiritual warfare. Christians are not exempt from these realities. In fact, following Christ often brings additional challenges because we choose to walk against the current of a world that loves darkness rather than light. This alone can bring rejection, criticism, and trials. But every affliction becomes meaningful when we remember that God uses suffering to refine our character, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him.

When David affirms that God delivers the righteous from all their troubles, he is not promising a life without problems. Rather, he is promising that no trouble is bigger than our God. Deliverance may come through healing, restoration, strength to endure, or peace that guards the heart even in adversity. Sometimes God removes the storm, and sometimes He strengthens His children to walk through it, but in both cases, He remains faithful.

Throughout the Bible, we see example after example of God rescuing His people. Joseph was delivered from a pit and from prison. Daniel was delivered from the lions. The three young Hebrews were delivered from the furnace. Paul was delivered from persecution after persecution. And every one of these stories reminds us that our God is powerful, present, and attentive to the cries of His children. If He did it before, He can do it again.

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. In every sorrow, He is near. In every battle, He strengthens. And in every moment of despair, He lifts our head and reminds us that our story does not end in suffering but in His victory and eternal glory.