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"Many Are The Afflictions Of The Righteous..."

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19)

Regardless of the state of the world, Christians can peaceably rest in the comfort and goodness of God. Look at Australia for example, having recently experienced drought, bushfires, floods, an economy reeling from the impact of COVID-19, not to mention the risk of infection from the pandemic status. I don't know if my generation has ever experienced such upheaval that affects daily life. Billions have been wiped from the stock market, and for those who find security in savings, the future looks increasingly grim and bleak. It's situations just like this which illuminate the blessings God graciously gives those who trust in Him with contentment and freedom from fear, worry, and hysteria. We can rejoice, knowing in the supreme confidence, God loves us and is in control.

Followers of Jesus Christ aren't strangers to trials and difficulties faced in this life, and have continued to joyfully thrive. On the heels of informing the Corinthian church he and fellow believers were troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down, and,at times, even despairing of life, Paul rejoiced how the life of Jesus was manifested through them. Their bodies were perishing, but God continued to renew them from within day by day. He says in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." When he called his suffering "light affliction", he wasn't downplaying it, but comparing it to the eternal glory which awaited him and all those who trust in Jesus Christ. Their suffering would have an end, but the glory they would experience was eternal and far outweighed negative experiences in life which would ultimately be redeemed according to God's good purposes. Paul lifted his eyes above the problems and pains and fixed them on the eternal God in His holy habitation.

Without being born again by faith in Jesus, the best men can do is place their hopes on circumstances changing for the better, labour to make the best out of bad situation, habitually check news reports, hoard goods out of fear, and funnel anger by blaming someone or something for their present state. It is true there are practical steps we can take to be prepared for disasters and limit exposure to illnesses, but the Christian is given by God strength, comfort, and rest confidently knowing we're safe in Him. Professors and "experts" are giving predictions about best and worst case scenarios concerning the economy or the viral pandemic but they cannot change a thing. No matter what happens in the world or to us personally, we need not worry. Even when our personal reality exceeds a worst case scenario, it is light affliction which is but for a moment which is working for our good and God's glory forever.

So I ask you, fellow believers, to whom do you look for hope? Are you focused on what you can see (worrying about what you can't see), or on the eternal? David prayed in Psalm 27:7-10:
"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me."
Cry unto the LORD all who desire mercy, for He will hear and answer. The God of our salvation will not leave or forsake us in volatile seasons of life because He is faithful and eternal. Seek the LORD you His beloved children and all our needs will be abundantly met according to His grace and "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Amen.