Even the saved have afflictions

NOTE: I'm reading through the Old Testament (NASB) right now, and I'm in the Book of Psalms. I'm also reading the New Testament from The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) and I'm about to go into Luke.

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34. (King) David is praising the Lord and calling on us to do the same, and he says this:

Psalm 34:19: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Hey, I don't know about you, but that gives me GREAT comfort! It says that even if we are righteous (meaning, we repent of our sins and give our hearts to Yeshua and try to live by God's Laws), we will still be afflicted.

So if you're having some kind of trouble--maybe huge credit card debt, or medical bills, or you got laid off or you're getting foreclosed on--and maybe this trouble causes you to doubt the Lord or your own salvation...don't do it!

Know that if you have repented of your sins--and repentance means you are truly sorry for your sins and you make a sincere effort to turn from them--and you've accepted Yeshua (Hebrew name for Jesus), then you are SAVED and you will get your reward after you die.

But it doesn't mean you're off the hook in this life. God is always with us. But he allows us to suffer much like sand and grit irritate an oyster...because it causes it to produce a pearl. Hard times and hard trials build tough character.


Take comfort in knowing that "many are the afflictions of the righteous." Even righteous people have trouble. David had it. He was tempted by Bathsheba and he committed adultery with her and had a child by her...a child, Solomon, who would be a great man and also in the bloodline of Joseph, Jesus' earthly step-father.

David shines through when he confesses his sin to the Lord and askes for forgiveness.

There's a reason we call God "our heavenly Father." He's a lot like a real Dad. And why shouldn't He be, since we were made in His image? Good Dads exercise discipline, and when their kids come to them and confess they've done wrong, the Dad still has to impose consequences, but he forgives with love.

That's what God does when you come to him and confess your sin, and ask Him to forgive you. There is NO SIN too huge for Him to handle! Quit stressing out, trying to hide it, trying to cope in unhealthy ways, and just get down on your knees (or if you're like me with an artificial knee and can't kneel, lie down or sit with bowed head), and cry out to your Heavenly Father and confess your sin, and ask Him to forgive you.

Almighty God, we confess that we have sinned, and we are truly sorry. Please, Lord, forgive us, and wash away our sins through the blood of Yeshua/Jesus!