Many Afflictions

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: 
but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19
 
There are times when my body gets weary and my mind becomes clouded and discouraged... ​

Disappointments assail me from all directions, it seems. And there are actually moments when I feel like putting down my Bible and giving up.
 
Yes, these strange thoughts do come my way. But when I think of my Lord Jesus drenched in his own blood, beaten black and blue, hanging on that splintery cross of Calvary, thirsty, and in excruciating pain, how I love Him! He gave His life for me. How could I ever quit?
 
Jesus conquered all that Satan tried to hurt Him with. He even arose from the grave (Matthew 28:1-10) to triumph over death. I can never leave such a King!
 
Yet it is hard to see myself as being "righteous" in God's eyes because I know that I often fail Him in many ways. Still, because of His grace and mercy, I have been given Christ's righteousness (Romans 5:17).
 
Now I can stand before a holy and righteous God clean and guilt free. How wonderful is this truth! Those who do not have such a relationship with Christ cannot fathom such a thing. I am blessed and I am free. I am forgiven.
 
D. B.