Scripture Reference: Psalm 34:19, Matthew 5:44-45, Philippians 4:6-7
There is not a person on this planet that has not seen trying times, having faced unfavorable situations under less than ideal circumstances. For the Christian, the Bible tells us that that this is pretty much a way of life for us. Psalm 34:19 tells us that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” It is a source of comfort, and an anchor point on which to tie our faith. We can face the the current darkness before us, knowing that dawn is coming, with a sense of “peace that passes all understanding”.
But what of the unrighteous???
Before I continue, I am compelled to lay down the following premise: I will not argue or engage Ina debate on whether or not who suffers more - the righteous suffer more than the unrighteous. I will assert, however, that the Bible states that “rain falls us upon the righteous, as well as the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45). Notwithstanding, it is also a fair assumption that everyone, at some moment in their life, also experiences a storm (which is not rain, so don't confuse the two: God sends rain, Satan sends storms!).
So them, where do the righteous turn in the midst of their affliction? Where can they go for solace? For those who count themselves amongst the righteous, these questions soul be as important to us, as it is to the unrighteous. For the unrighteous, the questions exists, whether or not they are cognizant of it. As souls still bound to the world system, the response to adversity is a worldly one. If there is lack, there is theft, where there is pain, there is escape (by needle, pill, bottle, or smoke). Where there is wrongdoing there is retaliation. Where there is loneliness, there is promiscuity. The world excuses unrighteous behavior, because it knows no other way. What it offers is a cheap, short-lived substitute for joy and peace, leaving one hungry for the next “fix”.
Say, for example, two men work for the same company. Both men work for similar wages, same socioeconomic status, similar salaries, an similar plans to retire from the place they have worked faithfully for years. Both receive news that the company they work for is downsizing, their jobs are being eliminated, and seniority will not help them. The blow is equally devastating. However, one turns to God and proceeds to go about his way in peace. The other becomes increasingly hostile, fearful, and distraught, an can be found populating the local bar. For the unrighteous, there is no peace; for the righteous man, he proceeds with the peace of God that passeth all understanding, as well as as an understanding of the responsibility that rests upon his shoulders.
The righteous man has the responsibility – in good times or in bad – to represent the Kingdom of God as ambassadors. How we live and conduct ourselves, reflects our convictions and puts on full display what we truly believe. This is not an exclusive principle – this applies to everybody. And as such, because it is an universal paradigm regarding humanity, each person is also endowed with a keen sense of whether or not the person is real or fake (whether or not it is put unto practice is another matter). The “realness” of righteousness is put to the test everyday by co-workers, family members, neighbors, friends, and even strangers in the times of affliction. What they see in us could literally alter the course of their life! Knowing this is what makes the question “what of the unrighteous?” so important to the righteous. Hence, the righteous, must also be sensitive an compassionate towards those who have no joy and peace. For in the pain of their situation, there also exists an opportunity for ministry, an opportunity to share the gospel, an the potential to lead a lost soul to Christ.
