Why do the righteous suffer?

B. Abraham, Rourkela

No man is exception, no man is trouble proof, no pain no gain, no thorn no throne, no cross no crown. Each obstacle you overcome makes the next one easier. Be an over comer. The strongest word is right; and  the strongest man is the  righteous.
 
Then why do the righteous suffer?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
In this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate.
Why  do vicious persons prosper?
 Great men, philosophers and theologians of all the ages all over the world tried to answer this universal question. But the right answer has come out of the experience and testimony of great men of the Bible. A few are given below.

Abel being dead yet speaketh! Why? How?

“The LORD trieth the righteous” but the trial of the righteous results in their approval, as it is contrasted with God’s hatred to the wicked. Some are dead while they are living; others are living while they are dead. The first martyr of faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and “being dead yet speaketh” (Heb 11:4) . Strive not for the present praise, but future fruition.  The righteous hath hope in his death. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Mat 13:43).  

Done nothing wrong! Yet in prison?

Innocent Joseph was sold off by his own brothers to Ishmaelites, who subsequently sold him to Potiphar a high official in Egypt and there he was given the highest position of honor. The incident in the house of Potiphar, being tempted by his masters wife, and for honorably denying her request, being falsely accused by her and thrown in to prison (Gen. 39:8-12).

His testimony is heart piercing.  “... and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon” (Gen. 40:15). Joseph’s courage in adversity, patient suffering, and love towards those that harm him are encouragement to all to trust in a good God. Verily there is a reward for the righteous. After several years of imprisonment and sufferings, the purest character in history, Joseph has been exalted to the highest post in Egypt. Finally he could say “I dug a diadem out of my difficulty”. “God sent me before you to preserve your posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. At the time of trouble he became the savior of his brothers” Gen 45:7.

“God did tempt Abraham” (Gen. 22).
 
Though God chastens even righteous persons, still He loves his own, and therefore well in due time deliver and exalts them. The LORD loveth us, yet He tempts our faith. The great trial of the righteous Abraham, offering his only son Isaac as a sacrifice on the Mt: Moriah resulted in his approval of character and nature! His excellence of that faith has been accepted and certified.  “For now I know that thou fearest God” (Gen.22:12).  He is known as “the friend of God” “the father of many nations”.

God permitted  Satan to tempt Job.

God testified that “Job was righteous, perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1).  From the highest prosperity he was cast down to utter poverty and misery, deprived of all his property and children,  stricken with a loathsome disease, forsaken and insulted by his own wife and friends.  But who after severest trial of faith and patience, was restored to more than his former prosperity and happiness. The philosophers tell us “In every calamity is a hidden blessing”.

He allows the enemy to do so. Suffering is not always a misfortune or punishment. After a short time of suffering, God will deliver and bless us more than before.  His favour  helps us to grow more and draw closer to Him. In the depths of sorrow, we will be closer and know Him more.  Job’s testimony “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5).

A creed for those who have suffered:

“I asked for strength-
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom-
God gave me problems to learn to solve them.
I asked for prosperity-                                                                                                     
God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage- 
God gave me danger to overcome.
I asked for love- 
God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favour- 
God gave me opportunities
I received everything –
      My prayer has been answered”               - Anonymous

Be a candle of the end time.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: (Rev 2:10). We are living at the edge of the grace era. Obstacles, problems and difficulties are blessings in disguise. Happiness follows sorrow, sunshine follows shadow, and the tide will turn.  “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psa 34:19). “Suffering is not always a misfortune, but it often helps us to grow. In the depths of sorrow we receive blessings”.

“And my reward is with me”
The result and joy of over comers are as radium in the rock. In spite of every opposition and affliction, till the end, Paul remained true to the Christian faith.  Finally the victorious man of God encourages all to strive to gain the same crown. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2Ti 4:7.  Be victorious.

Jesus concluded “And my reward is with me”, to give to every man according as his work. Be ready and make others ready