Finally, I get to the end of Psalm 34. I stop at the word “many.” We read this:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Many? Many afflictions? This doesn’t sound nice. I don’t want many afflictions; I don’t want any afflictions. But we’re told here that the righteous will have many afflictions. Yet, we know the Lord will deliver us. We will eventually heal, eventually have joy, eventually be made right in every way. I think of eternity. This way of thinking strengthens my soul when I’m confused about why difficult things happen. God will deliver. He is near. He will end our affliction. Maybe not now, but someday soon.