The misfortunes of the just

"The LORD is near to those who have broken hearts, and he saves those who have their minds cut off. The evils of the just are in abundance ; but the Lord delivers him from all." Psalm 34. 18, 19

God is not a lucky charm. In many ways, it is just like other men. The Christian is not raised above the human condition. Certainly, his spirit is regenerated and he is at peace with God, but his body and even his soul remain fragile, vulnerable and sometimes shaky. A mosquito does not make the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. In traffic jams on the highway, in hospitals, in epidemics or in war-torn countries, there are also Christians who suffer with others - in one way or the other.

At the same time, it is real that the righteous avoids a number of misfortunes caused by disorderly behavior. What he has learned bears fruit, and if he has ceased to live as a "fool," he will not know the torments of the "foolish". Normally, he will not suffer (or only by accident) excesses, or his character, or bad habits, resentment, etc. But paradoxically, because he is right, because he loves the will of God, he will experience trials that unbelievers do not know.

The real question is this: Do we want to advance in the knowledge of God? Becoming addicted, becoming obedient, becoming confident in God is so contrary to our nature ! This is often learned by breaking. Do you imagine a world without trials ? It would be a thousand times worse than this one. There are two schools to learn : prayer and trial. And the two come together.

Then we could ask the question again like this : Where did we stop in our growth with the Lord ? Do we want to go further or are we good as we are? More personally, what is the lesson that the Lord wants to teach me now ? The apostle James writes : "Is any of you afflicted, that he prays ?" (James 5, 13). Through prayer, he listens to what God wants to say to him. Not only to be relieved, but also to learn, to move forward, to grow.

Therefore, in faith, we say : "Taste and see that the Lord is good ! Blessed is the man who confides in him !" (Ps 34. 8).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)