Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
–Psalm 34:19
“Why me?” people say when things don’t go their way.
But the real question is: “Why not?”
Jesus, the perfect Son of God, the One who did no wrong, died on the cross for one reason and one reason only: to pay the penalty for our sins.
Not His.
Ours.
Yours and mine.
If God was willing to put Himself through that much heartache and pain for you and me (which He did), and if Jesus was willing to do something so selfless and unwarranted on our behalf (which He did), then who am I, and who are you, to ask, “Why me?”
The real question is, “Why not me?”
We live in a world tainted by sin. None of us is perfect or holy on our own. Why shouldn’t we have to experience grief and pain? Why shouldn’t we have to pay the consequences for our poor choices?
God, in His infinite love, has given us a way out. All we have to do is accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Why shouldn’t we be thankful? We have a merciful and loving God who is always there during times of trouble, who delivers us from all of them! Why me, indeed!
Prayer
Precious Jesus, Thank You for your sacrifice. Thank You for being the selfless and loving Savior You are. Please help me remember how unworthy I am. I am so grateful that You died so I might live. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
When have I been guilty of feeling sorry for myself; forgetting what Jesus did for me? What afflictions has Jesus delivered me from in the past? How can I remember this deliverance in the future?