Psalm 34: ¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all. 

This verse makes clear that “the righteous” are not spared afflictions, but must endure them like everyone else. In fact, the afflictions are described as “many”. But then there is the promise of God who “rescues”. As I look around my network of friends and family I see people experiencing affliction, pain, loss. In scripture we read of God’s people enduring great struggle and even death for their faith. That doesn’t look like rescue to me.

That said, despite the afflictions of this life, we DO have the promise of everlasting life in Jesus Christ. So this is the promise to which I cling today. Suffering and struggle are part of the human experience. Faith does not change this. In fact death itself will come one day, but death no longer has the last word. Thank you Lord. Amen.