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

My wife got in touch with a long time friend recently to catch up on the news concerning her battle with a debilitating illness. Our friend has been battling a rather uncommon, but much misunderstood disease, one that has nearly taken her life.

Radical medical treatment was sought overseas as the procedure has not yet been approved in the United States. Thankfully, she is getting some relief from the worst of her symptoms but doctors have told her that this illness will remain with her for the rest of her life.

This friend isn’t the only person we know who has been desperately ill as two other friends are waging their own wars against cancer. We also know people who recently suffered a serious accident or lost their jobs or are facing some other challenge.

Psalm 34 describes a trying time for David, the would be king who faced many trials before he ascended to the throne of Israel. Come to think of it, David’s life was filled with many challenges some of which were brought on by wrong decisions he made in life, others that were not.

In this particular Psalm, David pretended he was insane before Abimelech (a title for a Philistine king like Pharoah was used for Egypt) in order to save his life. David was also on the run from Saul, hiding out in a cave, probably had very little food, was tired and incredibly lonely.

But, David had his priorities right as he continually praised the Lord in the midst of his affliction, even encouraging the reader to turn from evil to do what is good and to seek peace and pursue it (v.14) Throughout this Psalm, David reminds us that God is with us, comforting us and protecting us. He concludes the chapter with this verse:

The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. (v.22)

David understood that his only hope was in the Lord so he decided to find his comfort in Him. That my dear readers is the only way we should respond when troubles come upon us.

This verse, indeed the entire chapter, stood out for me in another way too. There are some people who don’t believe that Christians will go through tough times or they may say that a person who is suffering is in sin.

I am not going to get into a debate about various thoughts people may have, instead all I will do is point to the book of Psalms which demonstrates how God rescues His people out of trouble. These days, with so many people feeling the heat of an economic downturn, few are escaping troubles. But, like David, we can choose to call upon the name of the Lord who has promised to help us if we take our refuge in Him.

This world holds nothing for the person who puts their trust in God. Yet, we live in it and are afflicted often and shall overcome if we cry out to the One who has promised to redeem us.

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