MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE JUST, BUT FROM THEM ALL, THE LORD DELIVERS HIM

⏰Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (08 April 2019)

📕Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R.v.4abc); John 8:12-20

🎤”MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE JUST, BUT FROM THEM ALL, THE LORD DELIVERS HIM” (Ps 34:19)

For the sake of information, the story of Susanna in the Book of Daniel (Dan 13) belongs to the set of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible. That explains why that story would not be found in many versions of the Bible.

Susanna was a very beautiful and Godfearing woman and the wife of a very prominent man at the time when the Jews lived in Babylon. Two elders, who were staying in her husband’s house most of the time to judge the people, desired to have sexual relationship with her. But as the true daughter of Zion, she refused. So the elders ganged up against her, laying false accusations of adultery against her and got her condemned to death.

So, in Dan 13:42-43, she cried to the Lord in prayer and the Lord heard her and inspired Daniel to lead a wise judgement that saved the just woman and condemn the wicked elders.

Many people are victims of such evil plans as Susanna today. Many lose their job because they refused to yield to the evil desires of their superiors or to give bribe. To these, we say, have faith and cry to God. The psalmist says, “Though [you] should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would [you] fear, for [the Lord is] with [you] (Ps 23:4).

You see! Evil belongs to darkness and darkness cannot stand with the Light. Jesus is the Light of the world and whoever follows him cannot be overcome by evil (John 8:12).

May this Light hover over you to protect and defend you in all things. Amen.

Have a great and successful working week under the protective watch of Christ. Peace be with you.